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HISTORY 



SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 



BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK; 



CONTAINING ALSO 



A SKETCH OF THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE 
AMERICAN REVOLUTION ; 



INTERESTING MEMORANDA OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY; 



TOGETHER WITH 



MUCH OTHER HISTOxlICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTER, 
NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED. 



ILLUSTRATED WITH MORE THAN THrRTY ENGRAVINGS. 



BY JEPTHA H. SIMMS. 



Sleep soldiers of merit, sleep gallants of yore, 

The hatchet is fallen, the struggle is o'er, — 

While the lir tree is green and the wind rolls a wave. 

The tear drop shall brighten the turf of the brave. — Uphmi 



ALBANY; 
MUNSELL & TANNER, PRINTERS 

1845. 



Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by 

JEPTHA R. SIMMS, 
In the Clerk's Office of the Northern District of New York. 



Fi-L-j 






TO THE YOUNG MEN OF THE 

SCHOHARIE AND MOHAWK YALLEYS, 

Classic Grounds for the Antiquarian, 

This volume is respectfully dedicated. And 
should the young be interested in its perusal, and 
its scenes of blood tend to increase their love of 
country and hatred of tyranny inspiring them with 
gratitude towards the heroes of the Revolution, — 
a spirit to emulate their daring deeds, and a desire 
to become familiar, not only with the stirring events 
which have been enacted near their own domestic 
altars, but a perfect history of their whole country — 
her institutions and the manner of preserving them ; 
then will his desired reward be attained. 

THE AUTHOR. 



PREFACE. 



Comparatively few persons ever read the preface of a book, 
although every one should who would peruse the contents of 
the latter understandingly : for as a door serves us to enter 
the dwelling of our neighbor, so a preface is given by the 
writer of a volume as its entrance. That individual who does 
not read what an author says of his own book, can never fully 
appreciate its merits or demerits. Says Phillips in his Million 
of Facts : "Let us garner up our notices of past ages, and 
preserve them in the archives of the country : we shall please 
and instruct ourselves by so doing, and make posterity lasting- 
ly indebted to us for the deed. To transmit the honors of one 
age to another is our duty ; to neglect the merits of our fathers 
is a disgrace." Actuated by corresponding motives, I com- 
menced collecting historic matter in 1837, with the view of 
making it public. 

From the lips of many hoary-headed persons of intelligence 
then living, whom I visited at their dwellings at no little sa- 
crifice of time, the matter presented in the following pages was 
taken down ; which individuals could say of numerous impor- 
tant transactions — 

I was au actor in, or I witnessed them. 

The collection of materials for this volume began just before 
it was publicly announced, that Col. Stone's forthcoming Life 



VI PREFACE. 

of Brant would serve up many border transactions, but rightly 
conjecturing that not a few would escape that writer's notice, par- 
ticularly of a personal character, which might prove highly in- 
teresting to the general reader, I continued my gleanings ; with 
what success the following pages will show. This volume does 
not profess to contain a detailed narrative of all the tragic scenes 
enacted on the frontiers of New York; for the reader is aware 
that several large books filled with such matter have already 
been published. I have aimed, therefore, to present incidents 
which have escaped the knowlege of previous waiters, or trans- 
actions to which I could add new facts, generally noticing in 
their place, however, the most important events published by 
other authors. 

When writers are obliged to rely principally on oral testi- 
mony for what they publish, they are liable, from the treachery 
of memory in some, and the fondness for the marvelous in others, 
to imposition, to be practised in turn upon their readers. Aware 
of this, in matters of importance I have principally confined my 
inquiries to individuals sustaining a character of conscientious 
regard for the truth. More than this, I have had the same 
stories related by as many different persons as possible, often 
stranp"ers to each other ; and then, on carefully examining their 
testimony, have been enabled to arrive, as I believe, very sa- 
tisfactorily at the truth. These antiquarian researches should 
have been made at an earlier day, but the stale maxim, " better 
late than never," will surely hold good in this instance if any. 

When I commenced collecting materials for this work, I had 
not designed to make it so extended, but incidents of real in- 
terest coming to my knowledge, which transpired in sections 
remote from the Schoharie settlements, where those researches 
began ; I resolved to enlarge it so as to garner up as many 



PREFACE. VU 

unpublished events as possible, particularly of the Revolution ; 
in pursuance of which plan I visited not a few aged persons 
in the Mohawk valley. To render the book generally useful, 
believing it would fall into the hands of some who might never 
read an elaborate history of the American Revolution, I con- 
cluded to incorporate from the most authentic sources, a brief 
sketch of the principal causes which brought about that Revo- 
lution, adding to it the Declaration of our Independence, a do- 
cument, which, though now in the possession of comparatively 
few, should be in the hands of every American citizen. 

Since the subject matter of the volume has taken a wider 
range than was at first anticipated — in truth, not a few novel 
and important facts have come to hand since a prospectus was 
issued for it, the author has thought seriously of changing the 
title because too local ; but as often has the question of the poet 
arisen — "What's in a name?" and not fastening on anyone 
more satisfactory, it has been retained. That portions of the 
volume may be found obnoxious to criticism, I do not doubt, as 
it has mostly been written in the midst of the family circle and 
domestic cares. Indeed, had it been penned under more favor- 
able auspices, I am not quite certain it would have been pro- 
nounced a very classic production; for, having been bred be- 
hind a counter, much of my early life was devoted to merchan- 
dising instead of letters. A friend who has often seen me in 
my studio, surrounded by my family, has wittily suggested the 
propriety, not inaptly I must confess, of dating this volume in 
the kitchen, and dedicating it to my better-half. 

The reader may expect to discover some little repetition, and 
a want of smoothness and harmony in its parts, since portions 
of this work have been added as new light has been cast upon 
them, long after others were written : besides, some of it has 



VIU PREFACE. 

undergone a hasty abridgement to bring it within the volume, 
which now by far exceeds its intended limits. Care has been 
taken to correct several errors into which previous writers have 
fallen, from their not sufficiently authenticating what they publish- 
ed j and it is very possible with all my pains-taking, that I have 
fallen into some. If an essential one should become apparent 
to any reader, he will confer a favor on the author by pointing 
it out ; as also he will by transmitting ancient writings, or in- 
teresting unpublished facts to his address. A true history of the 
Revolution cannot be written until the epitaphs of all the actors 
in that great struggle for civil liberty shall have become moss- 
bound ; for as the several parts of a body serve to make up its 
whole, I conceive it necessary to bring together those scattered 
parts before it can be pronounced complete. Frequently do 
historic facts spring into life on the death of a scarred veteran, 
when, perhaps, for the first time his old papers fall under the 
observation of individuals who can appreciate their worth. 

Although apprised by some of my pioneers in book-making 
that local histories soldom quit cost, and urged by timid friends 
long since to abandon the whole enterprise, still I have perse- 
vered in presenting the volume, such as it is, to the public, 
feeling conscious, whether deceiving myself or not, that I was 
discharging a duty I owed my country ; and if I have brought 
into the general store-house any new materials for the future 
historian, then has my labor not been in vain. That portions 
of matter in the following pages may be thought by some readers 
of too little importance to merit a place ; or that other passages 
are too minutely detailed — too prolix to suit fastidious tastes, 
I do not doubt. What pleases one will not always please an- 
other, and that which some readers would be most desirous to 
retain, would possibly be the first rejected by others. The mi- 



PREFACE. IX 

nuteness with which our countrymen Stephens, Brooks, Clark 
and other gifted writers have described what they saw and felt, 
is the charm which renders their writings peculiarly acceptable 
to most readers. As seasoning in food renders it more agree- 
able to the palate, so small incidents, trivial in themselves, if not 
tedious, may give zest to a published event. 

I would here acknowledge my indebtedness to all such per- 
sons as have in any manner aided me, by communicating in- 
formation either by letter or otherwise j and while I do so, 
take pleasure in expressing my especial obligations to my friends, 
Mr. Allen V. Lesley, a young gentlemen of much promise, 
who sketched with accuracy the principal views with which 
the volume is embellished; to my engravers, particularly to 
Messrs. V. Balch and E. Forbes, who have done most of the 
engraving, for the skillful manner in which they have executed 
their trust, and to the Rev. John M. Van Buren for taking 
some pains unsolicited, to bring the work into favorable notice. 
So much imposition has of late been practised in the sale of 
books by subscription, that I should not forget to signify my 
gratitude to those who have conditionally agreed to purchase 
this book, as they have secured to me the means of its publication. 

Persons of little reading are incredulous when told that in- 
teresting facts of by-gone days remain unpublished, but my in- 
vestigations have been sufficient to satisfy me, that thrilling in- 
cidents of an unique character may yet be brought to light, and 
I cannot refrain from indulging a hope, that other writers will 
enter the field to glean where yet they may. And now, in 
closing my introduction and offering this humble effort to the 
public, to seek its share of popular favor, I cannot refrain from 
observing, that I am induced to do it, more from a desire to be- 
come useful than conspicuous. 

J. R. SIMMS. 

Fultonville, JV. Y. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Origin and signification of Schoharie — Schoharie tribe of InJians, how formed 
and distinguished — Location of Mohawk Castles — Indian Confederacy of 
New York and policy of the Albanians — Course of the Confederates in the 
Revolution — Arts of the aborigines — Mysterious pit — Indian customs and 
worship — Proper use of tobacco — Indian villages — Residence of Karighon- 
dontee — Indian Castle at the Wilder-Hook — Indian name of mountains — 
Number of Schoharie Indians — Their coat of arras — Their foot-paths — 
North America peopled by religion — Policy of Queen Anne towards Ger- 
man emigrants — Schoharie settled by Germans — Their passage from Eu- 
rope — Encamp on the Hudson — Arrive at Albany — Distinction between 
German and Dutch — Messengers sent to Schoharie — Party remove thither — 
Incidents on the way — Origin of the word Helleberg — Location of Schoha- 
rie settlers — Their names — Probable number. - - - Page 21 

CHAPTER H. 

Poverty of Schoharie Germans — Birth of four children — First wheat sown 
in Schoharie — Milling done at Schenectada — Industry and Bravery of the 
women — Physicians and Ministers — First horse — Settlement in Vrooman's 
Land — Indian titles at that place — Murder of Truax — Its object how re- 
vealed — Arrival of Bayard — Nature of his visit mistaken — Attempts to 
capture him — He escapes to Schenectada — Schoharie lands sold at Albany 
to seven partners — Foot race at Weiser's dorf — Battle between Captain 
Hartman and his Indian neighbors — Puts a spell upon their guns — Smoking 
of the calumet — Sheriff Adams arrives at Weiser's dorf — Rides upon a 
rail — Returns to Albany — Delegates sent from Albany to England — Are 
committed to the Tower — Tlieir return home — Weiser and others remove 
to Pennsylvania — Origin of Cook-house — Horses return to Schoharie — In- 
stances of brute instinct — Justice Garlock removes to the Mohawk valley — 
Evidence of his justice. 51 

CHAPTER HI. 

A.ncient apple trees — First grist-mill in Schoharie county — Cobel's mills — In- 
dian name of Cobelskill — Old mill-stone — ^Introduction of bolting-cloths — 
Schoharie fashions — Profitable women — Buttons — Dandies — Long beards — 
First cider made in the county — First wheel-wright — First German school 
in America — Schools in Schoharie — First black-smith in Schoharie — Do- 
mestic beer — Dutch pride and prejudice — Introduction of slaves and their 
treatment — ^Farming utensils — Mode of threshing ^^ith horses — Shoe- 
makers — Tailors — Hatters — Abundance of fish — How exterminated — Wild 
animals — A German killed by a bear — 'Anecdote of the bear-catcher — A 
bear killed by a German — Hunt on Fox's creek — A tartar caught — Promi- 
nent hills east of Middleburgh — A panther story — Beavers and their dams — 
Doct. Moulter kills a wild-cat — First distillery in Schoharie — Fate of its 
owner — An Indian shoots six deer with arrows — Rattle snakes — How de- 
stroyed — Indian courtship — Schoharie Indians sell lands — Ancient bond — 
Purchases of Indians how legalized — Royal permit to purchase of Indians — 



Xll CONTENTS. 

Sale of lands in New Dorlacli — Reservations to government — Sales made 
in presence of Sir William Johnson — Certificate of Thomas Bradstreet— 
Certificate of Mayor of Albany respecting sale of slaves — The King's 
highways, how obstructed — First merchant in Schoiiarie — Anecdote of his 
marriage — His portrait — The second merchant — His will — A cannon, to 
whom presented and when used — Origin of Punchkill — Anecdote of John 
J. Lawyer — Liquor drank at funerals — Indian murders — Savage act of a 
father — An Indian marries his prisoner. .... Page 79 

CHAPTER IV. 

Groat family settle in the Mohawk valley — Erect a gristmill — Highland 
troops arrive at Fort Johnson — Lewis Groat captured in the French war — 
Incidents on his way to Canada — His return home — Murder of Mrs. Van 
Alstyne and captivity of her daughter — Sir William Johnson — His birth — 
Is agent for Sir Peter Warren — Establishes himself at Warren's Bush — 
Becomes an Indian agent for the British government — Obtains a house- 
keeper — His marriages — Is created a Baronet — Erects Fort Johnson — 
Builds mansions for his sons-in-law — Removes to Johnson Hall — Sir John 
Johnson — His marriage and subsequent conduct — Sir William's death — Guy 
Johnson succeeds him as Indian agent — Johnson mansions by whom occu- 
pied in the Revolution — Their confiscation — Commissioners for selling con- 
fiscated personal properly in Tryon county — Confidential slave of Sir John 
Johnson — His recovery — Sale of Johnson Hall — Spook stories — Sir William 
Johnson a great land-holder — His fondness for women — Lives with Molly 
Brant — Pleasing anecdotes of the Baronet — Notices of him from the Gen- 
tleman's Magazine — His coffin made into bullets — Place of his burial — His 
portrait — Old King Hendrick — Dreams with Sir William Johnson — Com- 
missioners of the colonies and Chiefs of the Six Nations meet at Albany — 
Speeches of Hendrick and other chiefs — Capt. John Scolt erects Fort Hunt- 
er — Queen Anne's Chapel and Parsonage — Indian war dan.:es, how ob- 
served at Lower Mohawk Castle — Rev. John Stuart removes to Canada — 
Sells a slave — Scott's Patent — Marriage of Ann Scolt — An Irish colony — 
Jelles Fonda an early tradesman on the Mohawk — A match at boxing — 
Smoking at funerals — Boating on the river — Names of rapids — Little 
Falls — Gen. Schuyler constructs inland Locks — Evidence of his prudence — 
Durham boats on the river — Difficulties to encounter — Accidents — First 
bridges in the Mohawk valley — Eaily merchants at Canajoharie — A duel — 
The Yankee Pass — Caughnawaga Church — Indians obtain a church bell at 
the Upper Mohawk Castle — Location of Forts Herkimer, Dayton and 
Plain — Land speculations — Tragic adventure at the Devil's Hole — Ancient 
tax-lists — Large bill of rum — First Court held in Tryon county — Herkimer 
county organized — Public punishment — Changes in Western N. York. 105 

CHAPTER V. 

Strengtli of the Vrooman family — A load of wheat — Women go to market 
and work in the field — Dutch fondness for horses — Feats of strength — Trial 
of strength and speed — Charitable act of Miss Vrooman — Weddings how 
celebrated — Gifts to intended brides — Horning at weddings — Playing cards — 
Fiddlers — Frolicking — Female ball dress — Dancing fifty years ago — Anec- 
dote of Judge Brown — Supawn how eaten — Dutch eat their plates — New 
Year's day how observed — Christmas, Paas and Pinkster — Early farming — 
Dutch butter — Sour-crout how made — Dutch dishes — More witchcraft — 
How to get rid of rats — Schoharie invaded in the French war — An Indian 
treaty — A jubilee — Riding on horseback — Sparking — Why Americans de- 
generate — First Schoharie lea-party — Causes of the American Revolution — 
Ignorance of the British ministry — Opposers of British tyranny — Freedom 
of opinion by whom established — English policy for raising a revenue — 
Debt of England — Tax imposed — Gov. Bernard issues a pamphlet — Stamp 
duties — Virginian boldness — Franklin in England — Perseverance of Gren- 
ville— Earre's reply to Townsend — Sayings of Franklin — Friends of Stamp 
Act how treated— Virginia resolves — Continental Congress — Death and re- 
surrection of libertj' — Sons of liberty — Patriotic ladies — Speech of Fitt — 



CONTENTS. XUl 

Franklin interrogated — Repeal of Stamp Act — Popularity of Gov. Ber- 
nard — Domestic looms resumed — India tea rejected — British troops sent to 
New York and Boston — Dickinson's Essays — Gov. Bernard returns to Eng- 
land — Convention at Annapolis — Troops at Boston fire on the citizens — 
Event how celebrated — Extract from Dr. Warren's Oration — Tax on tea 
retained. Page 155 

CHAPTER VI. 

A contest approaches — Burning of the Gaspee — Gold versus liberty — Predic- 
tion of Patrick Henry — Espionage of Gov. Hutchinson — Town Committees 
organized — Franklin sends home letters — East India Company in trouble — 
It sends tea to America — Its destruction at Boston — Unwise acts of the 
British government — Predictions of Gov. Johnson and Gen. Conway — Just 
views of Bishop Shipley — Effect of Boston Pert-Bill — Call for a Congress — 
Patriotic mottos — Proceedings of Congress — Allan's comment on the abili- 
ty of that Body — Warm discussions in Parliament — Speech of Lord Chat- 
ham — Expedient of Lord North — Origin of the terms Tory and Whig — 
Cod-fishing prohibited — Battle of Lexington — Its effect on the country 
around — Capture of the northern military posts — Ethan Allen's authority — 
Preparations for war — Washington is appointed to command the array — 
Battle of Bunker's Hill — Death of Warren — Anecdotes of the battle — Ar- 
rival of Washington — Proceedings of Congress — Post-office established — 
Gov. Penn interrogated by the House of Lords — Hessian troops employed — 
American flag — Colonial Governors — Boston evacuated — Defence of Fort 
Moultrie — Intrepidity of Jasper and McDonald — 'Their dying words — Ar- 
gument for education — Mrs. Elliot — Story of Jasper and Newton — Com- 
missioners sent to Canada — Declaration of American Independence. 182 

CHAPTER VH. 

Committees formed in frontier settlements — Indian treaty in Schoharie — Bra- 
kabeen Castle — Contagious disease — Schoharie Indians go to Canada — 
Death of granny Warree — A matricide — Schoharie Council of Safety — Ball 
family divided in politics — Organization of Schoharie militia — Resolution 
of New York Committee of Safety — Oath of allegiance — Record of Judge 
Swart — His personal services — Chairman Ball's sons perform extra labor — 
Accident on the Hudson — Anecdotes of Ball — Attempt to take his life — 
Character of Col. Vrooman — Attempt to capture him — Designs upon Wash- 
ington — Commissioners sent to France — Events of 1776 — Anecdote of a 
piquet guard — Washington's retreat from Long Island — Battles of Trenton 
and Princeton — Sufferings of Washington's army — His remarks to Colonel 
Reed — A singular requisition — Plan of the enemy for 1777 — Arrest of Col. 
Huetson — Tories in Schoharie — Brant at Unadilla — Interview between Gen. 
Herkimer and Brant — Affidavit of Col. Harper — Particulars of the inter- 
view from Joseph Wagner — False impression of Herkimer's character cor- 
rected — Harpersfield exposed — Cherry Valley threatened^ — Rangers to be 
raised — Letter from Chairman Bail to New York Congress — Reply of that 
Body — They write to the Albany Committee — Geographical ignorance of 
State Council — Frontier how protected — Albany Committee write General 
Schuyler — Same Body censure New York Council — Schuyler writes Alba- 
ny Committee — His apprehensions — New York Council of safety write Al- 
bany Committee, evincing warmth — Girls murdered at Fort Schuyler — 
Glance at the enemy's movements — Letter from Albany Committee to New 
York Council — Schuyler to same Body — Schoharie messenger — New York 
Council to Gov. Clinton — Albany Committee write the Council — Clinton's 
letters ordering troops to Schoharie. ...... 206 

CHAPTER YHI. 

McDonald invades Schoharie — Patriotism of Henry Hager — Messengers dis- 
patched to Albany — Col. Harper visits Schoharie — Starts for Albany — Is 
visited in the night — Next day is pursued by Indians — Escapes ft om them 
and reaches Albany — Notice of his arrival — New York Council forward 



XIV CONTENTS. 

letters to Col. Pawling — Harper obtains a company of Cavalry — Captain 
Mann how concealed — Barracks how constructed — Troops bait at Sny- 
der's — Effect of music — Death of an Indian — Novel confinement — Madam 
Ktaats — Battle of the Flockey — Citizens accompany McDonald in his 
flight — Concealment and surrender of Capt. Mann — Chairman Ball to Scho- 
harie Committee — Mann's property not confiscated — Col. Harper writes 
Council of Safety — Reply of that Body — Extract from Journal — Commis- 
sioners of Tryon county how instructed by New York Council — Remarks 
of Rev. Daniel Gros — Expedition to Norman's-kill — Advertisement (,by 
Chairman Ball — Citizens of Schoharie transport provisions to Stillwater — 
Anecdote of the Patroon — New Dorlach — Money buried in Albany — Bur- 
goyne's surrender how celebrated in Albany — Anecdote of Evert Yates — 
Incident of the French war — A spy in Burgoyne's camp — Death of Gen. 
Eraser — By whom killed— Retreat of Burgoyne how cut off — Anecdote to 
show skill of Morgan's riilemen — Anecdotes of the Oriskany battle — Death 
of Gen. Herkimer — Indians in a cellar — Corps of Invalids — British enter 
Philadelphia — Sufferings of the American army at Valley Forge — Anec- 
dote of Washington — Acts of Gov. Tryon — Arrival of Lafayette — Con- 
spiracy against Washington — A female spy and Maj. Tallmadge — Scho- 
harie Forts when and how constructed. .... Page 237 

CHAPTER IX. 

Interesting incidents now lost — Fortune how fickle — Last effort of Chatham — 
Acts of Parliment rejected — Treaty with France — Its effects — Settlement 
on Cobelskill — Organize a militia compan)' — Lieut. Borst shoots an In- 
dian — Cobelskill battle — Death of Capt. Patrick — Names of Cobelskill mi- 
litia engaged — Escape of Belknap — Escape of Henry Shafer — Burial of 
the dead — Subsequent celebration — Designs on Cherry Valley hov/ thwart- 
ed — Destruction of Wyoming — Dastardly act of a Tory — Invasion of the 
German Flats — Walter Butler imprisoned — Escapes and leads the enemy 
to Cherry Valley — Pleasing anecdote of Brant — England declares war 
against France— Battle of Monmouth — Capt. Molly— Col. William Butler 
goes to Schoharie — Heroic Soldiers — Fate of a Scout — Capt. Long inter- 
cepts and kills Capt. Smith — Death of Christopher Service — His confisca- 
ted property recovered — His remains how honored — Lower Fort garri- 
soned — Col. Butler destroys Indian towns on the Susquehanna — Col. Du- 
boise winters in Schoharie — Gerard arrives in the States as Minister from 
France — Dr. Franklin goes to France as American Minister — Price of Am- 
erican scalps — British possess Georgia — Washington's winter quarters — 
Jay chosen President of Congress. 272 

CHAPTER X. 

Captivity of Cowley and Sawyer — Escape from their enemies and return to 
Schoharie — Murder of Durham and his wife — Capt. Hager on the Dela- 
ware — Mohawk river settlements invaded — Anecdote of Cornplanter and 
his Father — Contemplated invasion of the Indian settlements — Execution 
of Hare and Newbury — Signification of Caughnawaga — Arrest of the 
Spies — Burial of Hare — Clinton's army at Cooperstown — Moves doxvn the 
creek — Industry of Beavers — Death of a Deserter — Anecdotes of Colonel 
Rigne — Col. Butler leaves Schoharie — The Boyd family— Lieut. Boyd and 
his sweet-heart — She invokes a Curse upon him — Marriage of her Daugh- 
ter — Elerson surprised by Indians — Kills one and escapes — Brown's Mills 
why not burned — His house plundered while he is in it — A wedding — Source 
of water how discovered — Anecdote of a Sentinel in a tree — Battle of New- 
town — Sullivan's signal guns — Rescue of a Prisoner made at Wyoming — 
Destruction of Indian property — A Child found — Its Death — Scout under 
Lieut. Boyd — Death of an Oneida — Two of Boyd's party set out for the 
Camp — Murphy shoots an Indian — Scout surrounded by the Enemy — Cap- 
ture of Boyd and Parker — Escape of Murphy and two others — Death of 
Boyd and Comrade — Fate of Han-Yerry — Indians die of Scurvy — Justice 
to Boyd's memory — Schools in the Revolution — Delegates from Tryon 
County to State Convention — Invasion of Ballston — Capture of Col. Gor- 



CONTENTS. XV 

don — He escapes with others and returns home— Command of Col. Fish- 
er — Capt. Fonda shoots a deserter — Is tried and acquitted — John Jay sent 
as Minister to Spain — Attack of the Americans and French on Savannah — 
Death of Count Pulaski — Gov. Tryon burns several towns in Connecticut — 
Stoney Point stormed by Wayne — Acts of Paul Jones — Winter quarters of 
Gen. Washington and sufferings of his army. - - - Page 291 

CHAPTER XT. 

The enemy moving — Death of a Tory named Cuck — Imprisonment of Van 
Zuyler — Sugar makers frightened — Lieut. Harper and friends captured by 
Brant at Harpersfield — Harper saves the Schoharie settlements by duplici- 
ty — Tory consultation — Harper's word doubted — March begun — Harper 
confronted by a Tory — Murder of an aged prisoner — Efficacy of rattle- 
snake soup — Enterprise to Minisink — Schoharie captives in danger of be- 
ing murdered — Are saved by an Indian who escaped from Van Campen — 
Party feast on horse flesh — Boast of Tories — Ashes used for salt — A run- 
ner sent to Niagara — Kind object of Brant in forwarding a messenger — 
Running the gantlet — Prisoners before Col. Butler — Price of American 
blood in Canada — Condition of prisoners at Chamblee — Attack on the Sa- 
condaga block-house — Letter of Col. Fisher — Indians pursued and killed 
by Solomon Woodworth and party — Public officers in Schoharie — Second 
invasion of Cherry Valley — Captivity of Moses Nelson— Fort Orange re- 
built— Willet's attempt to take it — Letters to Col. Fisher showing an ex- 
pected invasion — Enemy enter Johnstown — Murder of the Putmans and 
Stevens — Fate of two Tories — Fisher family — Troops arrive in Johns- 
town — Death of Capt. Hanson — Signification of Ca-daugh-ri-ty — Course of 
the enemy — Attack on the Fisher dwelling — Fortunes of Col. Fisher and 
fate of his brothers — Fonda brothers— Sheriff White and his neighbors — 
Furniture destroyed in Maj. Fonda's dwelling— Murder of Douw Fonda — 
Pleasing incident — Acts of the party under Johnson — Escape of George 
Backer- Johnson's confidential slave— Boys liberated near Johnstown — 
Invaders return to Canada — Escape of young Hanson, - - 321 

CHAPTER XH. 

Captivity of William Hynds and family at New Dorlach — An Indian attempts 
to surprise a sentinel at the Upper Schoharie Fort — Captivity and rescue 
of William Bouck and others— Seth's Henry in Vrooman's Land — Is at a 
spring— Resentment of the Indian William — Indians in the dwellings of 
the pioneers — Captive negroes liberate themselves — Attempt to capture 
Capt. Richtmyer — Mohawk valley invaded — Schoharie scout fall in with 
the enemy — Alarm guns how fired — Brant invades Vrooman's Land — Fate 
of the settlement- Character of Col. Vrooman — Indian grudge — Infant 
smiles save a father — Escape of Pull-foot Vrooman— Names of captives — 
Several citizens escape in a wagon— Number of houses burnt — Judge 
Swart's horse by whom rode — War-club of Seth's Henry — Escape of the 
Hager family— Old gentleman throttles his dog — His capture and treat- 
ment—Burning of Crysler's mill — Mill-stone recovered — Two Tories join 
the enemy — Hager family reach the Fort— Burial of the dead — Singular 
presentiment— Fate of the Vrooman infant— Brant releases part of the 
prisoners — Destructives assemble at Oquago — Prisoners divided — Boyd's 
scull— Lieut. Vrooman about to be murdered — Henry Hager insulted — 
Efficacy of tobacco — Prisoners run the gantlet— Attempt to fire the maga- 
zine at Quebec — Negro prisoners adopt the Indian's life — Loss of British 
ship Seneca — Schoharie prisoners lodged at South Rakela — Their return 
home — Particulars from whom derived. ..... 365 

CHAPTER Xni. 

Romantic courtship and marriage of Timothy Murphy — The bride's first in- 
terview with her mother— The reconciliation— Duty of Rangers — Their 
music when on a scout— Dancing at the Middle Fort— Rival dance of the 
soldiers— Ballstou settlement invaded— Attempt to capture Maj. Mitchell — 



XVI CONTENTS. 

Enterprise of Jo. Bettys — Absence of a Schoharie scout protracted — Sir 
John Johnson leaves Niagara to invade the frontiers of New Yorlc — Names 
of hills — Johnson's army discovered — A pack horse taken — Torch of de- 
struction first applied— Volunteers meet the enemy — Daring of Murphy — 
Burning of Middleburgh Church— Powder how sent up from Lower Fort — 
Volunteers under Capt. Lansing — Escape of Elerson— Stand made by the 
enemy— Mrs. Richtmyer frightened to death- How to start a bachelor — A 
flag of truce how attended— Is fired on by Murphy — Conduct of Major 
Woolsey — Surrenders his command to Col. Vrooman— Firing renewed — 
Loss of the Americans — Wilbur scalps an Indian — A dead Indian is found 
in the woods — Enemy move down the valley — Anxiety at the Upper Fort — 
A heroine — Lower Fort how garrisoned — Scout from that Fort meet the 
enemy— Death of Van Wart — Fate of Anthony Witner— Firing heard ia 
Cobelskill — Preparations to defend Lower Fort — Salute from a grass-hop- 
per — An ancient apple tree — War's beverage — A presumptuous Indian — 
Adventure of Enders — An Indian killed at a well — Fate of a deer — Mor- 
tar abandoned— A Tory arrives at the Fort. - ; - Page 388 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Schoharie militia pursue the enemy— Schoharie fires seen at Fort Hunter — 
Cadaughrity destroyed — Enemy encamp near the Nose — Americans encamp 
in Florida — Battle of Stone Arabia — Death of Col. Brown— His remains 
honored— Pleasing anecdote of an Indian and a colt— Skirmish near St. 
Johnsville — Cowardly conduct of Gen. Van Rensselaer — Climax of his 
management— Anecdote of Capt. Vrooman — Willing captives— Schoharie 
horses recovered— Novel manner of carrying bread — Incidents from John 
Ostrom — Grain how saved — Maj. Woolsey leaves Schoharie — Death of a 
spy — Invasion of New Dorlach — Death of Michael Merckley and his niece 
Catharine— Murder of John France and providential escape of his brother 
Henry — Burial of the dead— A reason for Merckley's death — Number of 
buildings burnt in Schoharie county — Extract of a letter from James Madi- 
son — Continental money — Charleston captured— Kniphausen invades New 
Jersey — Arrival of French troops — Retreat of Gates and death sf DeKalb — 
Treachery of Benedict Arnold. - - 421 

CHAPTER XV. 

Mutiny at Head-Quarters — Erection of block-houses — Fort Duboise — Cap- 
ture of Jo. Bettys and two associates — Col. Livingston's regiment in the 
Mohawk valley — Conduct of Maj. Davis — His death — Brant surprises a 
party of wood-choppers near Fort Schuyler — Americans pursue and recov- 
er shoe-buckles — Prisoners go through the manual exercise to gratify 
Brant — Boys captured near Fort Herkimer — Invasion of Curry Town — 
Escape of the Tanner family — Death of Jacob Moyer and son— Prisoners 
made in the settlement — Capt. Gros sent to New Dorlach — Discovers the 
enemy's trail and sends word to Willet— Sharon battle — American loss and 
death of Capt. McKean — The captive Jacob Dievendorf — A religious meet- 
ing broken up — Murder of Hoffman and wife — Capture of William Bouck 
and other citizens of Schoharie in a wheat field — Indians eat a hedge- hog — 
Escape of Lawrence Bouck — Fare of prisoners on their journey — Their 
return home — Ulster county invaded— Troops sent to Schoharie— Capture 
of Lt. Borst an 1 others in Myndert's valley — Death of Borst — Capt. Wood- 
worth and company surprised on West Canada creek and most of them 
killed — Incidents in the vicinity of Fort Dayton. - - - 450 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Invasion of Maj. Ross — Death of Myers of Curry Town — Other citizens 
captured — Village of Fultonville — Escape of a prisoner — Willet pursues 
the enemy — Battle near Johnson Hall — Incidents of the battle — Retreat of 
Maj. Ross — Manner of crossing creeks— Death of Walter Butler — Captiv- 
ity and return of prisoners — Brant again invades Vrooman's Land — Death 
of Adam Vrooman — Enemy are pursued— Fate of Richard Haggidorn — 



CONTENTS. XVll 

Murphy fortune's favorite — A dead Tory— Capt. Hager pursues the ene- 
my — A rum-keg how guarded— Battle of Lake Utsayantho— Cowardly 
conduct of Capt. Hale— An incident which followed— Fruitless expedition 
of several Tories— Unexpected meeting of Capt. Eckler and Brant— For- 
mer escapes by flight -How concealed— A prisoner captured near Fort 
Plank — Escapes in the night — Is concealed and nearly suffocated in a log — 
Events of 1781 — Military enterprises in the Southern States— Abortive plan 
to capture Arnold — Siege of York Town— Capture of Cornwallis and his 
army — Event how celebrated — British standards to whom delivered — Anec- 
dotes of stealing in the Revolution— Arnold destroys New London— Death 
of Ledyard and Montgomery — Conduct of Col. Gallup — Massacre in the 
Fort and attending incidents — Anecdote of a petticoat. - - Fage 470 

CHAPTER XVIL 

Predatory warfare continued in 1782 — Murder of the Dietz family — Captiv- 
ity of Capt. Dielz and the Bryce boys — Captivity of McFee's children — 
Character of Gen. Herkimer and others— Murder of Adam Vrooman — In- 
vasion of Fox's creek — Murder of Young Zimmer and capture of his 
brother — Death of a Hessian — The Becker family— John Becker how 
killed— Escape of Jacob and Wm. Becker— Indians discovered by boys — 
Attack on the Becker house— Eccentricity of Shell — Attempt to fire the 
building — Ingratitude of a Tory — Capture of several prisoners— Novel 
torture— Virginian spirit — A Tory wedding— Cobelskill again invaded — 
Several citizens killed or captured — Capture of the elder George Warner 
and son Nicholas — Escape of Joseph Earner — Meat how cooked and divid- 
ed — Escape of Nicholas Warner — Kind treatment of George Warner — 
Indian reverence of a Deity — Warner returns home — Gen. Washington vi- 
sits Schenectada— Burning of that place by the French and Indians — Wash- 
ington's treatment of Col. Fisher — His letter to the officers of Schenecta- 
da — Anecdote of his visit— Murphy takes a prisoner who escapes with his 
rifle — A Tory how concealed — Anecdote of Murphy and his cow — Notices 
of Timothy Murphy — Inscription on his tomb-stone — Incident at Fort Du- 
boise and death of a calf. 490 

CHAPTER XVm. 

Ratification of Peace — Gen. Washington resigns his Commission — Lands for- 
feited — Tories return to the States and boast of their deeds — Indians return 
to Schoharie — Fate of Seth's Henry — Attempt to kill Abram — He disap- 
pears at a Bee — Indians become alarmed — Beverages drank in the war — 
Incidents in the life of Capt. Eben Williams — Conduct of Col. Vose in 
Gates' campaign — Anecdote of Col. Scammel — Gen. Montgomery's widow 
how^ honored — Army at Budd's Huts — Duty of Col. Laurens at York Town — 
Anecdote of an Irish Lieutenant— Incidents of the siege— Officers killed in 
duels — Celebration at West Point — Cincinnati Societies organized — Habits 
of Capt. Williams— Military Journal of Maj. fallmadge — Incident in the 
river Bronx — Tallmadge commands a squadron of horse— Corresponds 
with Washington— Loses his horse— Enterprise against Lloyd's Neck — 
Surprise and capture of Fort St. George — Washington's letter respecting 
it — How noticed in Congress — Capture of Fort Slongo — Enterprises how 
thwarted— London trade an incident o — An English Sloop captured in the 
Sound — Society of the Cincinnati how organized— Spies in New York how 
protected — Order in which the Americans entered New York after its eva- 
cuation by the British — Last interview of Gen. Washington and his offi- 
cers — Maj, Tallmadge returns home — Marries and settles for life. • 528 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Capt. Thomas Machin — Battle of Minden — The Duke of Bridgewater's Ca- 
nals — Machin arrives at New York — Locates in Boston— Is one of Boston 
Tea Party — Plans fortifications near Boston- Is sent by Gen. Washington 
to the Highlands of the Hudson — Cooperates with Gen. Clinton — Request 
of Gen. Schuyler — Putnam's Rock — Council of Safety recognize acts of 



XVIU CONTENTS. 

Capt. Machin — Orders to be observed by artificers — Washington's letter to 
Gen. Knox— Kingston how fortified — Correspondence showing the prepara- 
tions making to receive the enemy — Machin a recruiting officer — Attack 
on Fort Montgomery— Death of Capt. Milligan— Letters of Gov. Clinton — 
Expense of Iron used in obstructing the Hudson — Capt. Machin writes N. 
York Council of Safety — Officers above their business — Letter from Gen. 
Parsons about fortifying West Point — Col. Hughes' letter respecting cord- 
age — Gen. Clinton wants fish— Gov. Clinton's letter relating to lead mines — 
Gen. Parsons wants timber— Capt. Machin writes Gen. McDougal about 
river chain — Gov. Clinton will purchase a phaeton — He certifies to the acts 
of Capt Machin — Chain of what iron wrought— Statement showing who 
fortified the Highlands and obstructed the river — Letter from Doct. Free- 
man — Letter from Peter Woodward — Machin's private expenses— Dis- 
burses large sums of money— Importance of the works— Importance of se- 
curing the Hudson— Expedition of Col. Van Schaick to Onondaga — A 
plan tor supplying Albany with wafer — Machin in Sullivan's expedition — 
Letters from Doct. Young — Letters from Henry Rutgers, jr. — Death of 
Kayingwaurto, a Seneca Chief— Receipt for scalps — Capt. Greg and his 
dog— Surrender of a Wyoming Fort — Table of distances in Western New 
York — Letter from Gen. Clinton — Cupid in the camp — Letter from Henry 
Rutgers respecting sufferings of the army — Doct. Young writes on the 
same subject — Ezra Patterson writes from Fort Pitt — Instructions to a 
Committee of Officers sent to the Legislature — Letter from Lt. Bradford 
showing condition of the army — Capt. Hubbell wants money — Difficulties 
attendant on recruiting service— Capt. Machin at York Town — Maj. Pop- 
ham parts with his sword — Letter from W. Morris — Machin about to mar- 
ry — Recruiting orders from Gen. Washington — Extract from Parker's let- 
ter — Machin is slandered — A messenger sent to Boston— Machin marries 
Miss Van Nostrand— Popularity of Machin— Gen. Clinton out of money — 
Correspondence of Joseph Wharton respecting lands at Cooperstown — 
Value of Western lands — Letter from Gov. Clinton about land — Machin 
settles at New Grange — Order of Timothy Pickering — Certificate of Gen. 
Clinton — Extent of Machin's business — Great copper-firm — Machin re- 
moves to Montgomery county — His patrons and friends — He is a Freema- 
son — Obtains a pension — His death. ....•- Page 550 

CHAPTER XX. 

Schoharie County when formed and how bounded — Its towns — Ne«' era in 
its history — First Attorneys — Neatness of Schoharie women — Want of 
taste among the Germans and Dutch— Out buildings in New England how 
adorned — Statistics of the county— Schoharie Judges — Lime-stone and fos- 
sils — The county interesting to Geologists — Turnpike roads — Canajoharie 
and Catskill Rail-Road— Congressional and Senatorial Districts — Sources 
and outlet of the Schoharie— Extent and formation of Schoharie fiats — 
Public executions — Trial of Van Alstyne — Establishment and history of 
the Lutheran Church— Singular incident in the life of Domine Sommer — 
Some notice of the Reformed Dutch Church — A faithful church officer — 
Ministerial fees — Churches when first warmed — Tidingraen and their au- 
thority — Blenheim — Statistics of the town — Jacob Sutherland once a resi- 
dent — Statistics of Broome — David Elerson — How he obtains a carriage 
and horses — His death — David Williams — Notice of Gen. Shays — Indian 
war-path — Statistics of Carlisle — Town by whom settled — Its rocks and 
caverns — Indian's cave — Statistics of Cobelskill — Incidents in the life of 
Gen. Dana — Gen. Wm. Eaton — Anecdote of Gen. Lee — John Redington — 
Monumental inscriptions — Statistics of Conesville — Statistics of Fulton — 
Bouck's Falls — Ex-Governor Bouck — Abraham A. Ke)'ser — Statistics of 
Jefferson — Statistics of Middleburh — The Vlaie — County Poor-house — 
Statistics of Schoharie — Indian mound — Gebhard's Cavern — Otsgaragee 
Cavern — Nethaway's Cave — Schoharie minerals — Monumental inscrip- 
tion — Statistics of Seward — New Dorlach — Monumental inscription — Sta- 
tistics of Sharon — New Rhinebeck — Sharon Springs — Analysis of water — 
Rare mineral— ThePavilion — Statistics of Summit — Lake Utsayanlho. 601 



CONTENTS. 



XIX 



CHAPTER XXL 

Ancestry of David Williams — His biography — Capture of Maj. Andre — Cow 
boys — Courtship of Williams — How he chanced to be one of the captors — 
The object of the captors' expedition — Incidents attending the arrest of 
Andre — A singular dream — Congress how apprised of Andre's capture — 
Resolution of that Body on the subject — Marriage of Williams — He parti- 
cipates in a celebration at New York — How honored — His death — Obitua- 
ry notice of his death — His burial — Incidents connected with the arrest 
and execution of Andre — Instructions of Sir Henry Clinton — Papers found 
on Andre's person — Conduct of Col. Jamieson — Extract from the Journal 
of Maj. Tallmade — Joshua H. Smith is suspected and tried — Board con- 
vened to try Andre — Manner of his execution — Champe's attempt to arrest 
Arnold — Capt. Nathan Hale — Bold exploit of his— His arrest and execu- 
tion — ^Confession of Cunningham — Fate of Andre and Hale contrasted — 
Andre's remains taken to England — Character of Andre over-rated — Proof 
of his character — His poem called the Cow-Chase — Somewhat phophelic — 
Arnold how respected in England — An acrostic to his fame — Monuments to 
Paulding and Van Wart — Efforts to obtain a monument for Williams. 646 



EX 



TO POST OFFICES IN SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 



Pag:e. 

.Argusville, 643 

Barnerville,.. 619 

Blenheim, 615 

Brakabeen, 623 

Bynville,... 623 

Carlisle, 618 

Central Bridge, 632 

Charlotteville, 645 

Cobelskill, 619 

Cobelskill Centre 619 

Conesville, 623 

Esperance, 632 

Franklinton, 630 

Fultonham , 623 

Gallupville 632 

Gardnersville, 642 

Gilboa, 615 

Hunters Land, 630 



Page. 

Hyndsville, 642 

Jelferson, 630 

Lawyervilie, 619 

Leesville,.. 643 

Livingstonville, 615 

Middleburgh, 630 

Mossville, 630 

North Blenheim, 615 

Punchkili, 619 

Richmondville, 619 

Schoharie Court House, 632 

Sharon, 643 

Sharon Centre, 643 

Sloansville, 632 

Smithton,. , 615 

Summit Four Corners, 645 

Waldensville, 632 



ERRATA. 

On page 117, under cut, instead of North read South view. It is the view 
of Guy Park as seen from the Erie canal. 

On page 182, for the remotest parts, read their remotest fart. 

On page 194, for fighting a just cause, read fighting in a just cause. On 
the same page, for messenger of death, read messengers of death. 

On page 195, fourth line from top, for Bunker, read Yankee. 

On page 374, first line, after neighbor insert a comma. 

On page G15, under post oflices in Broome, for Livingston, read Living- 
slonvilh. 



HISTOEI OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

The border wars of New York, in the great struggle with Eng- 
land for American nationality, originated some of the most thrill- 
ing incidents that ever did or ever can stamp the page of history. 
Many of those transpired in that part of Albany county now 
known as Schoharie; while events of no less interest were enact- 
ing in Tryon, and other frontier counties. Some of them have 
already been published, but there are not a few, especially of 
those which occurred in the Schoharie settlements, that have 
either not been presented to the American reader at all, or if they 
have, but partially and inaccurately so. 

Schoharie is the present name of a county, a town, a village, 
and a river, in the state of New York. The geographical posi- 
tion of the county, its division into towns, &c., will be given in a 
subsequent chapter of this work. The word Schoharie, is abori- 
ginial, and signifies, agreeable to published definitions, driji, or 
flood-wood. The author has spared no little pains to arrive at the 
origin and true meaning of this word. The word Schoharie, or 
the word from which that was derived, when originated, not only 
signified ^ood-woorf, but a certain body of flood-wood. At a dis- 
tance of about half a mile above the bridge which now crosses 
the Schoharie in the present town of Middleburgh, two small 
streams run into the river directly opposite each other. The one 
on the west side, coming from a north-west course, was formerly 

3 



22 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

called the Line kill, being the northern boundary line of the first 
Vrooman Patent — which instrument embraced that part of the 
town of Fulton, now called Vrooman's Land. The other stream 
is called Stony creek, and runs into the Schoharie from a south- 
east course. John M. Brown, Esq., in a pamphlet history of 
Schoharie, published in 1823, attributes to this stream, which he 
calls the httle Schoharie, the origin of the latter w^ord. The two 
streams mentioned, falling into the Schoharie at that place, pro- 
duced in the latter a counter current, which caused a lodgment of 
drift-wood at every high water, directly above. The banks of 
the river there were no doubt studded at that period with heavy 
growing timber, which served as abutments for the formation of 
a natural bridge. I judge so from the fact, that between that 
place and the bridge below, on the west bank, may now be seen 
a row of elm stumps of gigantic growth. At what period the 
timber began to accumulate at that place, is unknown; but it 
was doubtless at a date far anterior to the settlement of the Scho- 
harie valley, by the aborigines of which we have any certain 
knowledge. At the time the Indians located in the valley, who 
were the owners of the soil when the Germans and Dutch first set- 
tled there, tradition says there were thousands of loads of wood 
in this wooden pyramid. How far it extended on, the flats on ei- 
ther side is uncertain, they being at that place uncommonly wide: 
but across the river it is said to have been higher than a house of 
ordinary dimensions, and to have served the natives the purposes 
of a bridge ; who, when crossing, could not see the water through 
it. One tradition says Schoharie signifies to take across or 
carryover; while another tradition, from an equally creditable 
source, gives its literal meaning to be, the meeting of two waters 
in a third — both referring, beyond doubt, to the drift-wood in 
question, and its locality. This mausoleum of the forest sugar- 
tree, gnarled oak, and lofty pine, was called by the Indians who 
dwelt in its immediate vicinity, to-wos-scho-hor* the accent falling 

• I give the orthography of this word as it sounded when spoken by Mrs. 
Susannah, widow of Martin Van Slyck. At an i-iterview in 1837, I found 
Mrs. Van Slyck quite intelligent, and possessed of a very retentive memory. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 23 

on the third and fourth syllables. From that word has been de- 
rived the present word Schoharie, the first two syllables having 
been entirely dropped, while another has been added in its Angli- 
cisement. Several years ago I saw an ugly shaped glass bottle 
in Schoharie, said to have been imported from London by John 
Lawyer, the first merchant among the German settlers. His 
name and the place of his residence were stamped upon the 
bottle in English letters, the latter being there spelled Shoary. 
Many of the old German people of that county, at the present 
day, pronounce it Shuckary, which, it will be perceived, differs 
nearly as much from the sound of the word as now written, as 
that does from the sound of the word here given as the original. 

At what period the aborigines located who were occupying the 
Schoharie flats when the Germans and Dutch first settled upon 
them, is unknown. Judge Brown, in the pamphlet to which I 
have alluded, informs us that the first Indian settlement was made 
by Ka-righ-on-don-tee,* a French Indian prisoner, who had taken 

She formerly dwelt in Vrooman's Land, near where the bridge of drift-wood 
had been — could once converse with the natives in their own dialect, and 
still retains many of their words. She gave the word to which the note re- 
fers, as the name by which they called the natural bridge — by whom she had 
often heard it spoken. The author is indebted to the kindness of this lady 
and her tenacious memory, for several interesting facts tradition has pre- 
served, relating to the early settlement of Vrooman's Land by the whites, 
she being a granddaughter of the first Vrooman settler ; and also for several 
incidents worthy of record which transpired during the revolution. 

• At a personal interview with the venerable patriot Brown, in Sept. 1837, 
he pronounced this word as though written Kar-eek-won-don-tee. I adopt 
his written orthography, however, with the diflerence only of ending it ee, 
believing it to be sufficiently correct. At this interview he assured the au- 
thor that on the 5th of the following November, he would be ninety- two 
years old. Although his faculties, mental and bodily, were failing him, still 
we are indebted to his good humor and hospitality for some explanations of 
his pamphlet, and for much other matter not contained in that. Reading his 
pamphlet to him, and questioning him about customs which were in vogue in 
his earlier years, he seemed almost inspired with new life — his spirits, ani. 
mation and memory revived, and he was enabled to relate many anecdotes, 
which, to use his own words, '' he had not thought of in fifty years before." 
Mr. Brown and his amiable consort were both sociable and urbane, and I 
spent nearly a day very agreeably with them. Brown was married at twenty- 
Eve to a Miss Hager, of Brakabeen, Schoharie county, with whom he lived 



24 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

for a wife a Mohawk squaw ; that his father-in-law gave him a 
part of those flats to remove him from the presence of the Mo- 
hawk Indians, by whom he had been made prisoner, as they bore 
a deadly hatred to the Canada Indians, and in a drunken frolic 
might kill him; that families from the Mohawk, Mohegan, 
Tuscarora, Delaware, and Oneida tribes there joined him, so that 
a new tribe, of which he was principal chief, was formed, num- 
bering at one time about three hundred warriors. 

Karighondontee was probably a Canadian chief of some cele- 
brity, who had been taken prisoner by the Mohawks in one of 
the bloody wars, which the animosity existing between the Ca- 
nadian Indians and the Five Nations was continually originating. 
As speculation alone can furnish any thing like a beginning to 
the first settlement of Schoharie by the natives known as the 

thirty-eight years. He had nine children by that marriage, and several of 
them are now settled near him in Carlisle. Mrs. Brown, his present wife 
is, if memory serves me, twenty- two years younger than her husband. She 
was a Van Arnein from below the Helleberg, and has been married about 
twenty-six years. Her father was a captain of militia in the continental 
service. Brown had no issue by his second wife. He was among the first 
settlers in Carlisle, and, in common with the pioneers of that day, endured 
his full share of privations and hardships. He was a firm patriot, and a 
captian of the Tryon county militia in the revolution; he received a cut in 
one knee with a drawing-knife during the war, from which he ever after 
went very lame. Subsequent to receiving the injury mentioned, he sent a 
messenger to Gov. G. Clinton, informing him of his lameness; at the same 
time signifying a wish to resign his commission. He received in return a 
very civil letter from His Excellency, in which he expressed much regret at 
his misfortune; assuring him also that his services could not be dispensed 
with, or his commission returned; but that if he could not walk to command 
his company he, (the governor,) would send him a horse that he might ride. 
When Otsego county was organized. Brown was one of the commission- 
ers for laying out several public roads in that county; and when Schoharie 
county was formed, he was again called on to discharge the same duties. 
The commissioners associated with him in Otsego county, were Mr. Hudson 
and Col. Herrick, who together laid out twenty-seven public roads. Mr. 
Brown was appointed by the governor and council of appointment, third 
judge of the first bench of the Schoharie county courts. He was three times 
a candidate for member of assembly, and once lost his election by only two 
votes. Considering his limited opportunities in early life, he was an intelligent 
man. That he never obtained a pension while many others less deserving 
did, was to him a source of no little mortification and grief. Judge Brown 
died in the fall of 1838 or 39. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. ^ 

Schoharie tribe, save what has been ah'eady related ; I trust the 
reader will indulge me in carrying it a little farther. The revo- 
lution in England in the latter part of Lhe seventeenth century, 
which placed William and Mary upon that throne, was followed 
by a general war in which several nations of Europe were en- 
gaged. Nor were the colonies of America idle spectators of the 
tragedy. From Europe the grand theatre of that war, the crim- 
son art was brought into the wilds of North America. The Ca- 
nadas, then French colonies, with the Algonquin Indians within 
their own territory, were fiercely engaged with the British co- 
lonies and the Five Indian Nations then their allies, along the 
borders of New England and New York. The Mohegans,* 
who, as we have already seen, made a part of the Schoharie 
tribe, it is not improbable were engaged in considerable num- 
bers with the people of New England, and at th6 close of the 
war or soon after joined Karighondontee : as I suppose that chief 
to have been made prisoner in that war. The Mohegans, to 
whom war or the chase may have discovered the Schoharie 
valley, finding it to be a country sparsedly settled — equal in 
beauty to the banks of the Thames in Connecticut, from whence 
they emigrated — where game was plenty, and where, too, they 
would not be surrounded by the " pale faces" and amenable to 
their laws, may have been induced to settle there ; or they may 
there have sought an asylum from motives not dissimilar to those 
which brought hither the Mohawk. 

I suppose the time of Karighondontee's settlement to have 
been within about twenty years of the first German settlement in 
Schoharie ; and conclude so from the fact that the tribe was not 
then more formidable in numbers ; for the Tuscarorasf could not 
have joined it until about the time the Germans located, as they 
did not leave Carolina in numbers till near that period. 

• A part of the Mohegan and Stockbridge Indians, migrated and joined the 
Five Nations before the revolution — Morse's Gazetteer. 

t This tribe came from North Carolina about 1712, and joined the confede- 
racy of the Five Nations, themselves making the sixth. See Lewiston, 
where they still have a village. — Spafford's Gazetteer of N. Y. 



26 HISTOEY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

It may not perhaps be improper to say a few words respecting 
the Six Nations of Indians. At the time our pilgrim fathers 
first landed in America, a confederacy existed between the five most 
powerful Indian Nations then living in the state of New York. 
They were called by the French the Iroquois ; by the English 
the Confederates, or Five Nations ; by the Dutch, more particu- 
larly those in the Mohawk valley, the Maquaas ; and by them- 
selves, Aganuschioni, or United People. Their govejnment in 
many respects was republican. At what time and for what pur- 
poses this confederacy was formed, is unknown. It may have 
originated in conquest, the weaker nations in turn being subdued 
by the most powerful one; or, from a natural desire to resist and 
conquer a common foe, that existed from the alliance of other 
powerful nations. Whatever may have originated this union of 
Indian strength, it must have existed for a great length of time j 
for when the Europeans came here, it is said the Confederates all 
spoke a similar language. The Mohawk, Oneida, Onondagaj 
Cayuga and Seneca nations formed the confederacy — the Tusca- 
roras joining them, as has been shown, at a subsequent period. 
Says the historian Trumbull, " Each of the Five Nations was sub- 
divided into three tribes or families. They distinguished them- 
selves by three different ensigns, the Tortoise, the Bear, and the 
Wolf Whenever the sachems, or any of the old men, signed any 
public paper, they traced upon it the mark of their respective fa- 
mily." The same author, giving Roger Williams for authority, 
says the word Mohaivk imports cannibal, and is derived from the 
word moho, to eat. This is undoubtedly a popular error. The 
Mohawk nation took its name from the river along which it 
dwelt, called the Mohawk's river — as the Dutch have it, the Ma- 
quaas' river — which signifies, in plain Englisli, the muskrat's ri- 
ver. Many ancient Indian land titles have so called the stream 
in English, writing it in the possessive case; and to this day 
muskrats are numerous along its shores, hundreds being killed in 
the valley at every spring freshet. 

The Mohawk, which was the most eastern of the Five Nations^ 
had in the latter part of its existence as a nation, three castles — 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 27 

all of which were on the south side of the Mohawk river. The 
lower, or eastern castle, was at Icanderago,* afterwards called 
Fort Hunter, near the junction of the Mohawk and Schoharie 
rivers ; the central or Canajoharie castle, as then called, stood on 
the brink of the prominence at the east end of the present village 
of Fort Plain ; which hill was called by the Indians Ta-ragh-jo- 
res, signifying hill of health yf and the upper and most western 
was in the present town of Danube, not far distant from St. Johns- 
ville. The Caughnawagas, who resided at the Tribes' hill, oppo- 
site Icanderago, and the ancient village which still bears their 
name, were a family of the Wolf tribe of Mohawks. 

When the Dutch first located at Albany, they courted the 
friendship of the Confederates; and by furnishing them with fire 
arms and ammunition to war against their northern enemies, they 
secured their trade and friendship — the latter proving of most es- 
sential service to the colony of New York, in her subsequent wars 
with Canada. At the beginning of the American revolution, a 
majority of the Confederates, owing in a great measure to the un- 
bounded influence of the Johnson family over them, remained 
true to the British interest, removed to Canada with the Johnsons 
and Butlers, and fought for Britain — proving a terrible scourge to 
our frontier settlements. Most of the Oneidas, however, 
and a part of the Tuscaroras, either remained neutral or sided 
with the Americans; rendering them, as guides and runners, 
very important services ; on which account lands have been re- 
served to them in the state. The Oneida Reservation is in Ver- 
non, Oneida county, and the Tuscarora in Lewiston, Niagara 
county, where they still have villages. Their numbers are fast 

• McAuley, in his History of New York, gives this as the Indian name for 
the estuary of the Schoharie river. 

t Peter J. Wagner, Esq., who learned the site of this castle, the name of 
the hill and its signification, from Col. John Frey, an early settler in the valley, 
who spoke the Mohawk dialect well. A territory extending from Spraker's 
Basin to Fort Plain, a distance of six miles, was originally called Canajoha- 
rie ; indeed the town of Canajoharie now covers nearly the same extent on the 
river, and the castle stood on land still within the extreme limits of that 
town. 



28 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

diminishing, and their national character departing ; and the time 
is probably not very distant when it will be said of this once 
powerful confederacy, which often led to victory its thousands of 
warriors — it has been, yet is not. If such a writer as Washing- 
ton Irving would write a history of the North American Indians, 
the world would owe him a debt of gratitude. Surely such a 
work would not detract from the merited literary fame of the au- 
thor of Coluinhus, to say nothing of the well-emptied saddle-bags 
of that splenetic old gentleman, Sir Deidrich Knickerbocker. 

The Schoharie tribe of Indians seems to have been made up of 
the fractional parts, or refugees from different nations, some of 
which may have been compelled to flee from the council fires and 
hunting grounds of their fathers ; and perhaps might not have 
been inaptly termed by other nations, a tribe of refuge, since it 
corresponded in some degree to the cities of refuge established by 
Moses, among the tribes of Israel. That Schoharie was settled 
if only for indefinite periods to suit the convenience of the na- 
tives for hunting and fishing, long before its settlement by Ka- 
righondontee, there can remain no doubt; for to this day are 
found many flint arrow-heads, and not unfrequently other relics 
of savage ingenuity, which the contiguity of the whites at the 
time he settled was calculated to obviate the necessity of their re- 
taining in use; for Schenectada and Albany were both within 
thirty miles of his location by the paths then traveled. It is true, 
bows and arrows were still used by some of the Indians after the 
Germans arrived there, but many of them possessed fire-arms and 
well knew how to use them long before. 

It is astonishing to what perfection the aborigines of the United 
States had carried the manufacture of their wooden and stone in- 
struments for defence and domestic utihty, before the Europeans 
found their way hither ; since history informs us that they were 
not the possessors of even a knife, or any instrument of iron. To 
look at a flint arrow-head, see the regularity of its shape, and to 
what delicate proportions it has been wrought from so hard and 
brittle a substance, it seems incredible that it could have been 
formed by art, without the aid of other implements than those 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 29 

of stone. One would almost suppose the Indian to have been 
capable of softening the flinty rock by some chemical agent, 
previous to its being wrought into such beautiful forms. The ca- 
hinet of the antiquarian will exhibt them of various dimensions 
and a variety of colors ; pipes, hatchets, wedges, and culinary 
vessels, all ingeniously formed from different kinds of stone, are 
likewise often found at the present day near the site of ancient 
Indian villages — giving additional evidence of the perfection to 
which necessity will carry certain arts. 

The abundance of Indian relics formerly found there, the small- 
ness of the tribe and its comparatively brief existence, are facts 
on which I predicate an opinion, that the Mohawks and Delawares, 
in times of peace, dwelt in and about Schoharie. This conclusion 
seems not only plausible but very probable, as the former, who 
were called the true heads of the Confederacy, lived along the 
Mohawk valley, and the latter inhabited along the Delaware — 
the Schoharie valley being to them the natural route of inter- 
communication. 

Some twenty-five years ago, there might have been seen nearly 
a mile north of the Schoharie Court House, a deep pit, in which 
was observed a heavy, upright, wooden frame. Its location was 
on a knoll, in an old apple orchard upon the farm now owned by 
John L. Swart : which orchard seems, at least in appearance, to 
merit an existence coeval with the first German settlements. For 
what purpose that frame was there sunk, or by whom, tradition 
breathes not even a whisper. Judge Brown said he remembered 
having seen it, but assured the author that persons then living in 
the vicinity much older than himself, could give no clew to its ori- 
gin. This artificial cavern, which is said to have been apparent- 
ly fifteen or twenty feet deep, by those who looked into it, was 
discovered at the time alluded to, by the accidental caving in of 
the earth near one corner of it. The opening has long since been 
closed, without an interior examination of the pit. Its origin 
must be left entirely to conjecture. It may have been an under 
ground place of refuge ; or, it may have served as a depository for 
treasures; or, — but I leave to the curious the solving of its mysteries. 



30 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Indians have generally believed in the existence of a God or 
Great Spirit, and a future state. They worshiped a plurahty of 
imaginary deities, such as the heavenly bodies, fire, water and the 
like — indeed any thing mysterious or superior to themselves. In 
New England, says Trumbull, although they believed in one su- 
preme God, or a being of infinite goodness, still they paid most 
of their devotion to the evil spirit, whom they called Hobom- 
ocko : thinking, no doubt, that if they made peace with their enemy, 
they were safe. 

Little is known of the Schoharie tribe of Indians until the Ger- 
mans came into their midst. Their general customs and habits 
were as similar to those of neighboring tribes, as the multigener- 
ous nature of their own would allow. The customs of the Caro- 
lina, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania Indians, from 
which the Schoharie tribe was principally composed, no doubt 
differed as much, perhaps more, than would those of an equal 
number of the present white population, if collected from the 
same sections of the Union. The refugees from some of the 
tribes lived together when their numbers would admit, and they 
doubtless kept up in a measure their own national character. 
Time is required in all cases, where people from distant countries 
form a settlement, to sink into one general custom or habit, the 
diversified manners of their native land. The Mohegans settled 
near the mouth of the Little Schoharie kill in the present town 
of Middleburgh, and were living separate from the main body of 
the tribe, long after Conrad Weiser and his German brethren lo- 
cated in their immediate vicinity. One good reason for this, was 
the fact that they spoke a different language from the principal 
part of the tribe. They also had a small castle near the preseat 
residence of Henry Mattice. 

It is said by historians that Indians arc invariably born white : 
if so, I must presume this freak of nature found its way to the 
Schoharie tribe. " Indian lovers generally live together on trial 
before marriage :" and I have no reason to believe it was other- 
wise here. Among the Five Nations, history assures us, polyga- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 31 

my was not customary, but the Indians In general, Solomon like, 
kept many concubines — and never thought they had too many 
women. As the Schoharie tribe was deficient in numbers, I 
readily conclude it placed as much dependence on women to in- 
crease the number of its warriors, as did any of the Six Nations. 
In Virginia, it is said, the Indians had altars of stone whereon 
they offered a sacrifice of blood, deer's suet and tobacco. Now I 
dare not suppose that Karighondontee or any of his tribe were 
equally religious ; but I may say, I have never heard that any 
people ever appropriated tobacco to a much better use — surely it 
were far better thus to burn, than masticate it : while its fumes, I 
do not scruple to believe, would ascend to heaven with as grate- 
ful odor — if neatness and health are called in question — as from 
the lips of that individual, whose taste is so perverted as to 
smoke it. 

That the Schoharie Indians had many customs and habits in 
common with other nations, the author has obtained satisfactory 
proof: such as the burial of treasures with the dead — holding 
councils when on the eve of some momentous undertaking — cele- 
brating victories — face painting — (from whom some modern la- 
dies have possibly borrowed the disgusting habit) — scalping the 
fallen foe — wearing trinkets about their persons — compelling 
their women to do the drudgery — requiting hospitality with kind- 
ness, and secretly revenging insult with the tomahawk. What 
civilized people call society was rarely ever found among the ab- 
origines of the United States. Unless engaged in war or the 
chase, their favorite employ — they led lives of indolence and in- 
activity. A custom once prevalent among the Indians of New 
England and New York, was that of burying the dead in a sitting 
posture facing the east : it was also customary among the In- 
dians of eastern New England, for such as had taken prison- 
ers, to kill as many of them as they had relatives or friends killed 
in battle. — See Drake's Church's life of Benjamin Church. 

Besides the village of the Mohegans already located, the Scho- 
harie tribe had several others : one of which was on the farm 
formerly owned by Alexander Vrooman — on the west side of the 



32 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

river. Nearly opposite that, on the other side of the river, they 
had another ; and a distance of several miles farther up the val- 
ley, on the farm of the late Peter P. Snyder, a third. At each of 
the tvsTo former they had a small castle ; and at the latter, where 
they dvi^elt for many years after the two northern villages were 
abandoned, they had a burying ground. Those villages were all 
within four miles of the present site of the Court House. With- 
in the recollection of some now living, twenty-one wigwams 
were yet standing upon the Snyder farm ; and a few old apple 
trees still to be seen there, are supposed to have been planted by 
the natives. Near this orchard many burials are said to have 
been made at their place of sepulture : nor, indeed, were the 
manes of nature's children without companions, to share the pot- 
age* taken along at their death ; as a portion of the consecrated 
ground was set apart, for the defunct slaves of the early Germans. 

The fifth, and most important village of the tribe, where dwelt 
Karighondontee and his principal chiefs, was in Vrooman's land : 
where they had a strong castle, and a place of burial. This cas- 
tle was built by John Becker, who received from Sir William 
Johnson, as agent for the British government, eighty pounds for 
its erection. It was built at the commencement of the French 
war, and constructed of hewn timber. The Indians held some 
four hundred acres of land around it, which they leased for sever- 
al years. Contiguous to this castle, along both sides of the river, 
could have been counted at one time seventy huts ; and relics of 
savage ingenuify are now often plowed up near its site. An an- 
gle of land, occasioned by a bend in the river, on which this cas- 
tle stood, was called the Wilder Hook, by the Dutch who settled 
near it, and signified the Indian^s Corner. Among the old people 
in that vicinity, it is still known by the same name. 

The Indians gave names to most of the mountains and promin- 

* It was not only customary for the aborigines of this country to bury the 
implements of war, and treasures of the warrior with his body ; but also a 
kettle of food, such as beans or venison, to serve him on his journey to the 
delectable hunting grounds, whither he believed himself going. There he 
expected to find plenty of wild game, handsome women, and revel eternally 
in voluptuousness. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 33 

ent hills in the county, among which were the following: On 
the west side of the river, directly opposite the hrick church in 
Middleburgh, is a mountain rising several hundred feet, and 
covered with timber of stunted growth. The traveler will readily 
notice this, as being the highest of the surrounding peaks, which 
hem in the river and valley for a considerable distance on either 
side. This mountain the natives called Ou-con-ge-na, which sig- 
nified, Rattle-snake Mountain, or Mountain of Snakes. It was 
literally covered with rattle- snakes in former times. The next 
peak above on the same side of the river, which has a very bold 
termination towards the valley, they called O-nis-ta-gra-wa, and 
spoke it as though written 0-nis-ta-graw-z^a«g/i .' It signifi- 
ed the Corn Mountain. Between that and the river was the 
Wilder Hook : at which place the flats are well adapted to the 
cultivation of Indian corn. It was this consideration which gave 
to this mountain its significant name. The next hill above the 
Onistagrawa, now known as Spring Hill, the Indians called To- 
wok-now-ra — its signification is unknown. 

At Middleburgh, two valleys meet; the one through which 
the Schoharie wends its way, and the other, through which the 
Little Schoharie kill runs some distance before, it empties into 
the former. Consequently, on the south-east side of the river as 
it there courses, the mountain ridge which confines the river to 
its limits on the eastern side, suddenly terminates, and again ap- 
pears east of Middleburgh village. The termination of the hill 
alluded to, which lies south-east of the Onistagrawa and distant 
perhaps two miles — was called by the Mohegans who dwelt at 
its base, the Mo-he~gon-ter, and signified Falling Off, or Termin- 
ation of the Mohegan Hill. It served not only to designate the 
locality, and preserve the name of the Connecticut Indians, but, 
like many of their words which have a twofold meaning j it de- 
noted a hill terminating at a valley. A fraction of the Stock- 
bridge tribe of Indians, who emigrated from Massachusetts, also 
dwelt near the Mohegans. 

I have no data by which to estimate the whole number of 
Schoharie Indians, except the statement in Brown's pamphlet, 



34 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

which sets down the number of warriors at about three hundred. 
Now by supposing that each of those warriors, on an average, 
had two women, that there were two children to each woman — 
that there were fifty men unfit for warriors from age or infirmity, 
and as many old women ; the tribe would then number two thou- 
sand two hundred souls. This estimate may be thought too large ; 
but if so, the reader has the same right and means to lessen its 
numbers, that I have to increase them. And whether he is a 
Yankee or not, he may guess at their numbers with impunity ; 
although it is hardly a supposable case, still there may have been 
here and there a warrior to whom Cupid had not revealed Ovid's 
art; there 2ixe Jew of nature's children who are strangers to love. 

The coat of arms, or ensign of the Schoharie tribe, was a 
turtle and a snake. Figures representing those animals, they 
were careful to place on all deeds or writings — which were to 
prove an evidence oi faith. Nor were they confined to placing 
them on paper or parchment ; for whenever they deeded land, 
trees servins: as bounds or land-marks, bore the characteristic 
emblem of the tribe. 

Brown enumerates the five following foot-paths as being in 
use by the Schoharie Indians, when the whites first settled among 
them. The^r5/ he mentions began at Catskill, and followed the 
kill of that name up to its source at XheVlaie, from whence it 
continued down to Middleburgh. Over a part of this palh now 
runs the Loonenburg turnpike. The second began at Albany and 
led over the Helleberg, down Foxes creek valley, and terminated 
in Schoharie. By this path the Germans traveled, who first set- 
tled Schoharie. The old road, as now called, from thence to 
Albany, follows very nearly the route of that path. The third 
commenced at Garlock's dorf, and led to Schenectada through 
Duanesburgh. By this path, the Dutch who first settled in Vroo- 
man's Land, proceeded from Schenectada. This path was much 
used for several years by the Schoharie Germans, who went to 
that ancient cily with grists upon their backs to get milling done ! 
The fourth led from Kneiskern's dorf down the Schoharie to 
Sloansville, from thence through the towns of Charleston and 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 35 

Glen to Cadaughrity and ended at Fort Hunter. This path 
was much traveled by the natives, who went from the Mohawk 
to the Susquehanna valley. The fifth led from Kneiskern's dorf 
north-west to Canajoharie. This path, says Brown, was much 
traveled by the early Germans, who often went to visit relatives 
at the German Flats. It continued in full use, he adds, until af- 
ter the year 1762, at which time Sir William Johnson reviewed 
a brigade of militia, of which he was general — near the upper 
Indian castle of the Mohawks. Besides those enumerated, the 
Indians must have had other paths, perhaps of less notoriety, 
leading in different directions from Schoharie. One traversed not 
a little by the Indian hunter, led directly up the Schoharie to 
near its source, and from thence to the Susquehanna and Genesee 
valleys. While another of some importance to the hunter, must 
have led up the Cobelskill to it source, and from thence to Otsego 
lake. 

It may justly be said, that religion has peopled by the whites, 
the greater part of North America; for many of the first Eu- 
ropean immigrants came to this goodly heritage to find a place 
where they could worship Jehovah as seemed to them proper and 
desirable. True, the prospect of realizing the desires of Ortugal, 
induced many to settle in Spanish America ; but Catholicism was 
the handmaid of lucre, and aided not a little in conquering and 
civilizing Mexico, so far as that country has been civilized; it 
must be acknowledged, however, that civilization has advanced 
tardily in all Spanish America. This is owing no doubt to two 
obvious reasons : the general indolence of the inhabitants, (their 
wealth being derived directly from the precious metals instead 
of agriculture,) and the fact that the Catholic religion is less fa- 
vorable to civilization, than is the Protestant. 

After the throne of England had been vacated by the death 
of William and Mary, Queen Anne ascended it, and as her pre- 
decessors had done, she tolerated the Protestant religion. It was 
often the case in former times, that when one form of religious 
worship was tolerated in a kingdom of Europe, and laws were 
enacted to compel all to conform to it, many who had scruples about 



36 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

adopting it, at the sacrifice of judgment and feeling, fled to other 
countries where their own rehgion prevailed. It was bigotry 
and Catholicism, which drove the ancestors of General Marion 
from France to South Carolina. The grandfather of Marion was 
a French Protestant : by the authorities of France he was banish- 
ed to 'perpetual exile, and notified by letter, that if found in the 
kingdom after ten days from the date had transpired, his life 
would be forfeited, his body consumed by fire, and the ashes 
scattered on the winds of heaven. I have mentioned this case 
to show the reader the nature of the persecution, which tended 
in a great measure to people the United States. 

The Puritans, as the Plymouth, Massachusetts, pioneers were 
called, fled with their pastor, the Rev. John Robinson, in the 
year 1607, from England to Amsterdam in Holland ; from thence 
they soon after removed to Leydon. From the latter place, in 
the year 1620, they went to Southampton in England, from 
whence they embarked for America on the 5th day of August of 
the same year, and after a long, tedious voyage, anchored in Cape 
Cod harbor, on the 10th day of the following November. The 
colony which European persecution there planted, although se- 
veral times on the eve of annihilation, was the means of peopling 
all New England. 

Queen Anne, who received the crown of England in the year 
1702, knowing that the Germans were in general peaceable, 
loyal subjects, and lovers of liberty from principle — anxious to 
increase the population of her American colonies, held out strong 
inducements to this hardy and industrious race of people to become 
British subjects. She oflTered to give them lands, if they would set- 
tle on the frontier of certain colonies, and furnish them at the be- 
ginning with necessary tools, provisions, &c. What added to the 
inducement, they could there practice their own form of religious 
worship. 

There is a charm in the word liberty, that converts a desert 
wild into a paradise, and severs the cords of the fraternal, social 
circle. The generous oflfers of Queen Anne induced thousands to 
bid a final farewell to the land of their nativity — cross the foam- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 37 

ing Atlantic, and erect their altars of worship in the wilds of 
America, thousands of miles from the luring places to which they 
were known in childhood. 

Schoharie, with the exception of its Indian inhabitants, was 
first settled by the Germans and Dutch, and to religion and the 
love of liberty is that settlement mostly to be attributed. In 
saying Schoharie, I allude to all the settlements first made in 
. Schoharie county, without distinction of towns ; as a territory of 
many miles in extent, now making a part of several towns, was, 
at first, known by no other name than that of Schoharie. I find 
it somewhat difficult to harmonize the contradictory statements, 
tending to fix the precise year in which the Germans first arrived in 
that valley. Brown says " they sailed on new year's day in the year 
1710, from some port on the Rhine, down that river to Holland 
from whence they sailed to England ; that being there further 
provided, they sailed for America ; and after a tedious voyage in 
which a great many died, they landed at New York on the 14th 
day of June, 1712 ; having been one year five months and several 
days [over two years,] on their journey ; that they were then 
sent up the Hudson river to East and West Camp, (so called from 
the circumstance of their having encamped there,) where they 
wintered in ground and log huts. — That from there the spring 
following, they went to Albany, from whence some found their 
way to Schoharie, after a journey of four days by an Indian foot 
path, bearing upon their backs tools and provisions with which 
they had been provided by agents of the queen." Brown is 
doubtless in error about the time the emigrants were comnig 
from Germany to New York; it could not have been upwards of 
two ymrSy as it would seem by his data. 

Many of the aged people with whom I have conversed on this 
subject, agree in fixing the date of their departure from Leyden 
in Holland, as early as 1709, while some others name that year 
as the traditionary one in which they first reached Schoharie. A 
record in the Lutheran church at Schoharie, states that Abraham 
Berg, from Hessen, came to America in 1709, but the record 
was made many years subsequent to that date, and may be in- 

4 



38 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY 

accurate ; recording the time of arrival here, instead of departure 
from Hessen. From a comparison of all the evidence collected 
on the subject, I believe they left Germany late in 1709, arrived 
at Nev? York in 1710, and the following year v^^ent to Schoharie. 
Smith's history of New York informs us, that General Hunter, 
who had been appointed governor of the province, arrived 
at New York on the fourteenth day of June, 1710, bringing 
with him near three thousand Palatines, who, the year before, 
had fled to England from the rage of persecution in Germany. 
That " many of these people seated themselves in the city of New 
York, where they built a Lutheran church ; others settled on a 
tract of several thousand acres, in the manor of Livingston, where 
they still have a village called the Camp, which is one of the 
pleasantest situations on Hudson's river ; right opposite, on the 
west bank are many other families of them. Some went into 
Pennsylvania, and by the favorable accounts of the country, 
which they transmitted to Germany, were instrumental to the 
transmigration of many thousands of their countrymen into that 
province. Queen Anne's liberality to these people," he adds, 
" was not more beneficial to them than serviceable to this colony. 
They have behaved themselves peaceably, and lived with great 
industry. Many are rich ; all are Protestants, and well affected 
to the government : the same may be said of those who have 
settled amongst us, and planted the lands westward of Albany. 
We have not the least ground for jealousy with respect to them." 
It will be observed, that the arrival at New York of the Ger- 
mans by whom Schoharie was undoubtedly settled, was on the 
same day of the same month, two years earlier than the date 
given by Brown, as the one on which they arrived. There can 
remain little doubt, that the time of their arrival as given by 
Smith is correct. Another writer, Spafford, in his Gazetteer of 
Jfew York, speaking of Livingston's manor, says: "In the year 
1710, agreeably to an arrangement with Queen Anne of Eng- 
land, the proprietor conveyed a tract of six thousand acres ad- 
joining the Hudson, from the south-eastern part of the manor, to a 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 39 

number of Palatines, who had served in her armies, and were now 
driven from Germany by the French army. 

The same writer, speaking of Germantown, Columbia county, 
in which town is the village of East Camp, says : " In June, 
1710, seventy families of poor Palatine soldiers who had served 
in tlie army of Queen Anne, by whom they were hired of the 
Electorate of the Palatinate, arrived at New York, the most of 
whom soon removed to these lands, then included in Livingston's 
manor," The reader will here understand why these people 
were called Palatines. Palatine is a term which was formerly 
given to a prince, and probably is still, in some parts of Germany. 
He was invested with royal privileges to preside over a certain 
territory, called a Palatinate ; hence emigrants from such coun- 
tries in Germany, as are subject to the government or direction 
of a Palatine, have been called Palatines or Palatinates. " In 
1725," continues SpafTord, " according to an arrangement of 
King George I. with the proprietor, letters patent were granted 
to certain persons belonging to the settlement of East Camp, as 
it was then called, as trustees for the whole, conveyino- the rio-ht 
of soil in perpetuity for the use of said inhabitants. And the 
grant seems to have been well devised, with the whole condi- 
tions on which it was made. Forty acres were directed to be 
appropriated to the use of a church and the maintenance of a 
school, and the residue to be equally divided among the inhabi- 
tants, which was faithfully performed by the trustees. This lit- 
tle colony received many marks of the kindness, care and bene- 
ficence of Queen Anne, under whose special patronage it was 
first planted. The country was then wholly wild, and the first 
encampments were distinguished by local names. Hence came 
East Camp, a more general name of three httle lodges in this 
town ; and West Camp, the name of a similar settlement on the 
opposite side of the river, now in Saugerties, Ulster county. 
The settlements first commenced by three small lodges of tem- 
porary huts, each of which was placed under the superintendance 
of some principal man, from whom they took their names, with 
the addition of dorf^ a German word for village. Hence Weiser's 



40 HISTOKY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY 

dorf, Kneiskern's dorf, names now disused, except by a very 
few of the ancient Germans." 

According to Spafford's account it would appear as though the 
first settlers at the Camps, had been hired by Queen Anne to serve 
in her wars. But the other published accounts, and tradition, 
which seems not to have slumbered on this subject, unite in ascrib- 
ing their emigration from Germany chiefly to religious oppression. 
It is nofl^mprobable that some of the most warlike of those Ger- 
mans, may have aided the colonies and Iroquois in the war they 
were then waging with Canada ; — a distinguished historian does 
indeed say that some of them were so engaged; {See Bancroft's 
U. S. vol. iii, p. 221) — but that those who tarried at the Camps 
left their native land for that purpose, seems hardly admissible, 
from the fact, that male and female, old and young, great and 
small were included in this group of immigrants ; the major 
part of which would have been sorry materials for an army. 
He must be in error about the number of the first settlers, unless 
two different parties arrived at the Camps during the same year, 
which is not improbable ; as more than seventy families, which 
he gives for their whole number there, removed to Schoharie ; 
at which time many families settled along the Mohawk river. 
It is highly probable, that of those who arrived, seventy families 
at least remained at the Camps, and became permanent settlers. 

Few incidents worthy of notice, in the long journey of these 
emigrants, have been preserved. They are said to have embarked 
from Plymouth, a port somewhat celebrated for the embarkation 
of Europeans to this continent. While the ship was lying at an- 
chor some distance from the shore, awaiting for a fair wind or 
sailing orders, with the emigrants on board, six of them went to 
land in a boat to make some necessary purchases. Only one 
name of the six is now remembered, that was Becker. He was 
a relative of the ancestors of the Beckers, who now live on 
Fox's creek, in the present town of Schoharie. After making 
purchases, they put off to regain the ship ; but having a gale of 
wind to encounter, which had sprung up while they were on shore, 
the boat capsized and its crew were all buried in the raging bil- 
lows. With this unhappy commencement, it is but natural to 



AND BORDER WAR OF NEW YORK. 41 

suppose their surviving friends anticipated a voyage across the 
Atlantic, fraught with difficulty and danger : indeed such it 
proved ; for it was protracted by adverse winds to a length of 
months, and rendered truly appalling, when, as provisions began 
to fail them, they saw grim death, through all the horrors of 
starvation, staring them in the face. Before they reached New 
York, crumbs were sought for by the half starved children in 
every nook and corner, and when fortune thus discovered to them 
the scanty object of their search, no matter how filthy or stale, it 
was considered a God-send and greedily devoured. Several pas- 
sengers died on the voyage : one old lady, who had been ill of 
consumption for some time, died and was consigned to the deep 
at the Narrows, below New York. If several died on the jour- 
ney, it is not certain that the whole number of the emigrants was 
less at their final debarkation, than it was when they left the 
land of their fathers, as I have to record the fact, that the rule of 
ancient arithmetic, which subtracts one from one and leaves two, 
was not unfrequently exemplified during the passage. By the 
by, that is a valuable rule in peopling all new countries. 

Soon after they landed at New York, they Avere sent up the 
Hudson to the Camps ; (with the exception of those who became 
permanent settlers in the city, and those who went to Pennsylva- 
nia ;) where they made a temporary location. As they did not 
arrive at New York until the middle of June, it will be observed 
that the season had too far advanced to allow those who intended 
to become frontier settlers, or citizen farmers, to select an ap- 
proved location, and raise their sustenance for that season : they 
therefore went into quarters to await the return of Spring. They 
erected temporary huts, settling in seven sqilads or messes, each 
with a head man or commissary, through whom they received 
their provisions from an agent of the Queen, until they were per- 
manently located. Conrad Weiser, Hartman Winteker, John 
Hendrick Kneiskern, Elias Garlock, Johannes George Smidt and 
William Fox were six of the number ; and as John Lawyer be- 
came one after their arrival at Schoharie, he may have made the 
seventh. The several settlements over which they presided, were 



42 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

called dorfs, signifying towns. Each of the said "list men," as 
Judge Brown termed them, (from the fact, that each had enrolled 
on a list or schedule, the names of every man, woman and child 
belonging to his beat ;) was obliged to make careful report, from 
time to time, to the royal agent, of all changes in his dorf; of its 
approaching wants, etc. How these honest, good natured, simple 
people, spent the greater part of a year at the Camps, this depo- 
nent has been unable to learn ; but as they possessed the charac- 
teristic good nature of their mother country, — were fond of ath- 
letic exercises, not to the exclusion of fumigation however, he 
supposes, as the Queen's punctual agent did not allow them to 
anticipate much care or concern about their temporal affairs, that 
they " drove dull cares away," by what their descendants term 
frolicking : and that although they were in a strange land, they 
resolved it should be to them a land of social enjoyment. The 
reader is ready to ask, what means the term frolicking in this 
place % It means, as I have been assured by the descendants of 
those virtuous and happy people, the indulgence of certain pro- 
pensities of the human heart to seek pleasure. They fiddled, they 
danced, they ran foot races ; and groups were not unfrequently 
seen among them, jumping, wrestling, &c., in summer : while 
winter found them skating, or playing various kinds of plays, 
such as now sometimes make part of an evening's entertainment 
at a village party, in which bussing, that delectable finale to 
which they generally tend, bears a conspicuous part. Some se- 
date mortal, on w^hom life hangs heavily, may be ready to ex- 
claim, " strange that a people who left their native land on ac- 
count of religious persecution, should have allowed their children 
or any of their numbers, to indulge in such foolish propensities !" 
It is indeed strange ; but no less strange than true, if they lived 
at the Camps as they afterwards did in Schoharie. One fact how- 
ever, might be urged in mitigation of their wickedness, if such 
the reader terms it. Not a particle of hypocrisy, that ingredient 
so necessary in making up the human character at the present 
day, dwelt in the hearts of these people. The reader will re- 
member, that I have not called them a fashionable people. Na- 



AND BORDER WAR OF NEW YORK. 43 

turally honest themselves, they supposed others so, and had im- 
bibed liberally those true German principles of nature, founded on 
a belief, that " there is a proper time for every purpose ;" which 
bade them not look to the morrow, for that which rightly be- 
longed to the present day ; or anticipate the troubles to which 
man is heir, and which are so profusely scattered along his path. 
That there were many among those emigrants who lived pious 
and exemplary lives, not approving the course of their fellows, 
there can be no doubt. 

At what time in the spring of 1711, those who had not chosen 
to remain at the Camps, moved up the river to Albany, is uncer- 
tain. It must have been as early as circumstances would allow. 
On their arrival at that Dutch city, they sent several individuals 
of their number into the Mohawk and Schoharie vallies, to spy 
out a good location for their permanent settlement. Perhaps it 
may be well to say a few words in this place, in explanation of 
the term Dutch. Emigrants from the German circles, were ori- 
ginally called Germans or High Dutch ; and indeed continued to 
be so called, long after their emigration to this country ; while 
those from Holland or the United Provinces were called Dutch : 
or, in contra-distinction of the term High Dutch given the Ger- 
mans, Low Dutch. Many persons of the present day, unacquaint- 
ed with the geography of Europe, express surprise to hear the 
distinction of the terms German and Dutch made, supposing them 
synonymous. The German circles or states, and Dutch provinces, 
are as distinct countries, as are England and Scotland, perhaps 
more so ; . and their languages as little alike, as were formerly 
those of the latter countries. Nor indeed are the former under 
the same government, which is the case with the latter ; and yet 
people express no surprise to hear the distinction of English and 
Scotch emigrants made, when those countries are in question. 
When the historian tells us that the Dutch settled at Albany, 
which was by them called Willemstadt, where they built Fort 
Orange ; and at New York, then called JYew Amsterdam, in or 
about the year 1614, nearly one hundred years previous to the 
settlement of Schoharie ; he dees not intend to be understood that 



44 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

those places were settled by Germans, but by Hollanders or 
Dutch. 

As the sections of the United States, originally peopled by the 
Dutch and Germans, received additional settlers from other coun- 
tries, and conformed to the English language, — the whole assimi- 
lating by gradual process to new characteristics, as their old were 
reluctantly absolved ; the sectional appellatives of all, whether 
English, Scotch, or Irish — Dutch, German, or Swiss, yielded to 
two simple terms, Yankee and Dutch. 

The German messengers, with whom we parted company a 
short time since, deputed to Schoharie, were conducted by an 
Indian guide over the Helleberg*, and on the second day they 
gained a commanding view of the flats along Fox's creek. They 
proceeded down that stream, until from one of the hills which 
skirt its lowlands, they gained a prospect of the Schoharie valley, 
at the place where Fox's creek runs into the Schoharie. There 
their vision was delighted by one of the most beautiful and pic- 
turesque scenes, with which nature has decorated the earth. They 
beheld the green flats of Schoharie, spread out before them like a 
beautiful, though neglected garden. To the west, directly oppo- 
site the mouth of said creek, their view was obstructed by a ro- 
mantic mountain rising several hundred feet, and terminating in a 
bold cliff towards them. I regret that I have been unable to 
learn the original Indian name of that mountain : the Germans 
called it the Clipper berg, meaning the rocky mountain. I take 
the liberty of giving to it, the name of Karighondontee, intending 
by so doing to perpetuate the name of the Schoharie Indian tribe. 
On the summit of the Karighondontee, is a cultivated farm for- 
merly ov/ned by Henry Flamilton, Esq., an excursion to which 
often rewards the rambler in the summer season, with one of the 



• On arriving upon this mountain, which is a spur of the Catskill mouD- 
lains, those emigrants halted on several eminences to enjoy the rich prospect 
thus afforded. Helle — signifies light or clear, and berg — hill or mountain. 
Hence the appropriate name they gave it — Helleberg, Prospect Hill or Sight- 
ly Mountain. Helderberg, the Dutch orthography for this word, has, within 
a few years, very improperly gained place ; its original German name being 
far more poetic and soft. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 45 

most enchanting views imaginable. Off to the right hand of the 
deputation, as they stood on the summit of the hill, near where 
it descends into the two valleys, on the north side of Fox's creek ; 
they were enabled to catch a view of the great bend in the river, 
where it takes a more easterly course,- immediately after receiving 
Cobel's kill. They did not long tariy to contemplate on the 
richness of the prospect, which the union of those three valleys, 
beautified as they then were by luxurious spring, was calculated 
to create. Perhaps there was no Mozart present, to catch inspi- 
ration from the wanton carol of the countless feathered musicians, 
by which they were surrounded : or Spurzheim to forestal the 
virtues, — perchance the hidden wealth, of the hilly protuberances 
which rose in romantic grandeur, on which side soever they 
gazed. The hill on which I have supposed the pilgrim messen- 
gers to have stood, and from which they caught a view of " the 
promised land," the Indians called Oxt-don-tee. After taking 
this hasty glance of the country before them, which they no 
doubt did with eyes and ears, if not mouths, open ; they returned 
speedily to Albany, and reported progress to their anxious breth- 
ren. Would kind reader, I could serve you with the maiden 
speeches of those honest spies, who were among the first white 
men known to have trod upon Schoharie soil : but in the absence 
of such an intellectual treat, your own fertile imagination must 
create them. They were delivered before the immortal seven, 
who were the sanhedrim of the multitude, and one thing is cer- 
tain : they w^ere fraught with a prevailing argument against the 
entire Mohawk valley, which was not even allowed a hearing ; 
and nearly the whole caravan,* loaded' down like so many pack 
horses with provisions and tools, without a vehicle of any kind, 
started forthwith for Schoharie. 

The interval lands which the deputies had visited, were, at 
that time, to a great extent cleared or timberless, and presented 

• As the German settlements along the Mohawk were commenced about 
the same time with those of Schoharie, it is not improbable, that the 
relatives of the messengers sent up that river, awaited their return at Alba- 
ny, and on their bringing a favorable report of the country, removed thither. 



46 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

the appearance of a limited prairie : and few were the native in- 
habitants, who then dwelt upon them. These two considerations, 
no doubt, greatly influenced the hasty decision of the colonists. 

Gentle reader, you, who ride perhaps in a gilded carriage, and 
think elliptic springs and a good road scarcely endurable, must 
not be offended when informed, that your great-great-grand- 
mothers, (I am now speaking to the fair sex, of the uncontami- 
nated descendants, of the primogenial pilgrims to the happy val- 
ley, not of Rasselas, but Schoharie;) clad in hnsey-woolsey of 
limited length, bearing each in their arms an heir apparent, and 
each on their back a sack of provisions or unmentionables ; set 
out on foot to make this long journey, upon an intricate Indian 
foot path.* Would you ask why their husbands did not carry 
the burthens, thus imposed upon their amiable consorts ? I have 
already said they had not a vehicle of any kind ; nor indeed had 
they the aid of even a single horse ; consequently the husbands 
and all the children able to bear burthens, were heavily laden. 
They left Albany on Thursday, and as may be supposed, their 
progress was necessarily very slow. Nights they slept in the 
open air, after having built fires to keep off the wolves, which 
thickly infested the forest through which they were journeying. 
Nothing remarkable happened during the first two day's journey. 
On Saturday they reached the present site of Knoxville, which 
appears to be the summit level between Albany and Schoharie, 
where they halted and assembled together. Some misunderstand- 
ing having arisen, a contest ensued, in which many of the party 
were engaged, from which circumstance the place has since been 
known by the older inhabitants, as Fegt berg, or fighting hill. 

* This journey of thirty odd miles, is looked upon at the present day as a 
small matter, since a stage rattles over it every day ; hut it was lar other- 
wise at that period. Many were the tears of sympathy shed in Albany, at 
the departure of these good people, because they were going so far from any 
other settlement. What changes time brings. Where is now your sympathy, 
O ye Albanians ! for the comely looking Swiss maidens and their forlorn 
mothers, who are now in motley groups, lingering not unfrequently a few 
days with you, ere they commence a western journey, which may number 
thousands of miles ? 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 47 

What gave rise to this quarrel, I have been unable to learn. It 
is not improbable that the " green eyed monster" was the direct 
or indirect cause, originating in a spirit of emulation to direct the 
movements of the party. No one seems to have been very seri- 
ously injured by this unlooked for trial of strength ; the insurgents 
were overpowtred, good order again restored, and the line of 
march resumed. On Sunday, (probably in the latter part of 
April,) a day of seven, dedicated to cleansing and decorating the 
outward man of the civilized world, having arrived at a small 
brook, which descends from the hills on the north side of Fox's 
creek, and runs into the latter near the present residence of Sam- 
uel Stevens, and within sight of the Schoharie valley, the party 
halted and resolved on having a general purifying. Says Brown, 
" while washing, the lice were swimming down the hrook ; which 
is called Louse kill to this day." Tradition corroborates this sto- 
ry. I may have occasion hereafter to speak of the cleanliness of 
the descendants of these people. There can be little doubt, but 
that the washing adventure, may prove a mirror to many parties 
of emigrants, who have been long journeying. It is not difficult 
to account for the fact, that the most negligent of the number, 
(for I cannot believe all were so) should have become filthy. 
They were poor, had not changes of apparel ; of course, the 
clothing they wore, without much pains-taking to keep it clean, 
must have become dirty : add to this the fact, that they had been 
for a great length of time, either journeying or dwelling in rude 
huts, in either case greatly crowded, without any conveniences for 
private ablution ; and we have a plausible reason to believe the 
story a true one. Poor people, although cleanly, find it difficult 
at times, to exhibit evidences of their neatness, especially while 
traveling. 

The Schoharie flats to which they were journeying, and upon 
which they arrived on the day of their purifying, had been pur- 
chased of the natives by an agent of the Queen, to prevent future 
hostilities between them and the Germans. The tract of land 
thus purchased, began on the little Schoharie kill in the town of 
Middleburgh, at the high water mark of the Schoharie river, at 



48 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

an oak stump burned hollow, which stump is said to have served 
the Mohegan and Stockbridge Indians, the purposes of a corn 
mill ; and ran down the river to the north, taking in the flats on 
both sides of the same, a distance of eight or ten miles, contain- 
ing twenty thousand acres. By the side of this stump was erect- 
ed a large pile of stones, which was still standing since the year 
1800. Upon this stump was cut the figures of a turtle and a 
snake, the ensign of the Karighondontee tribe, the Indian seal of 
the contract. Having arrived in safely, the Germans settled 
along the Schoharie on the land provided by the queen, in sever- 
al villages or dorfs, as they called them, under the direction of 
the seven individuals, who acted at the Camps as their captains or 
commissaries. Prudence, no doubt, dictated the necessity of set- 
tling near together, that they might be the better prepared to an- 
ticipate any hostile movement of their Indian neighbors. Weiser's 
dorf, (so called after Conrad Weiser the founder,) was the most 
southern village, and occupied part of the present site of the vil- 
lage of Middleburgh. This dorf contained some forty dwellings. 
They were small, rude huts, built of logs and earth, and covered 
with bark, grass, &c. They were built on both sides of a street, 
which ran nearly east and west, and may have been called Weiser 
street. Hartman's dorf was the next settlement down the river, 
and was about tv/o miles north of Weiser's dorf This was the 
only one of the settlements called after the christian name of its 
founder or patroon : his name having been Hartman Winteker. 
This flekken,* (if the largest village in seven merited the name,) 
is said to have contained sixty-five dwellings, similar in construc- 
tion to those spoken of in the dorf above. The Germans, (as is 
the custom of their descendants,) built their ovens detached from 
their dwellings : and thirteen are said to have answered all the 
good house-wives of Hartman's dorf, the purposes of baking. 
Like the former, this village was built along one street ; and I 
am gratified to think I can inform the reader precisely where it 

• Dorf means a compact farmer's town or small village ; flekken a larger 
village than a dorf and less than a city ; and stadt, an incorporated city.— 
Brown. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 49 

was situated. Every man who has traveled from Schoharie 
Court House to Middleburgh will remember, that having proceed- 
ed about three miles, and crossed two brooks, the most southern 
of which was called, in former days, the Wolfs kill, he came to 
two angles in the road, between which, he perceived his course 
changed from south to west for the distance of, perhaps, a quarter 
of a mile. He will also remember, no doubt, how straight and 
level that part of the road was, gently descending to the west ; 
and, too, that he expressed surprise to his companion, or, if he 
had no more sensible person with him, to himself, that the road 
had never been straightened. Now, since I have traced the lo- 
cation of Hartman's dorf by tradition, to the immediate vicinity 
of this knoll or table-land, upon which the two angles in the road 
appear, and have too much charity to believe, that that part of 
the road would not have been straightened, had the commission- 
ers who laid it out not had some noble object in view, I have 
come to the conclusion, and doubt not the good sense of the read- 
er will bear me out in it, that that part of the road which runs, 
east and west, between the angles spoken of, was once 
Hartman's street, and that upon each side of it once stood 
the unpretendmg dwellings of Hartman's dorf. 

The next village north, was in the vicinity of the court-house, 
and was called Brunnen or Bruna dorf, which signified the town 
of springs. There are several springs in this vicinity ; and a liv- 
ing one, which issues from beneath the rocks a little distance 
south-east from the court-house, supplies most of the villagers 
with excellent water. The principal or most influential man 
among the first settlers at this place, was John Lawyer. Some 
of his descendants, as also those of some of the ShaefFers and 
Ingolds, who were also among the first settlers, still reside near 
the location of their ancestors. The next settlement was in the 
vicinity of the present residence of Doctor C. H. Van Dyck, 
about a mile north of Bruna dorfj and consisted of Johannes 
George Smidt, (or Smith in English,) with a few followers of the 
people, for whom he had acted as commissioner at the Camps. 
Smith is said to have had the best house in Smith's dorf, which 



50 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

was thatched with straw. I am not certain that any of his clan 
are now represented in that section. It is probable, however, 
that the Sn^'ders who reside there, may be descended from the 
first settlers. Fox's dorf was next to Smith's, north, and took its 
name from William Fox, its leading man. He settled about a 
mile from Smith, in the vicinity of Fox's creek, so called after 
him. The Snyders, Beckers, Zimmers, Balls and Weidmans, now 
residing along, and near that stream, are regular descendants of 
the first settlers. Elias Garlock, with a few faithful followers, 
who, doubtless, adhered to him on account of his great wisdom, 
which remains to be shown, located about two miles farther down 
the river, near the present residence of Jacob Vrooman. This 
was called Garlock's dorf The Dietzes, Manns and Sternbergs, 
were among the first settlers at Garlock's dorf, whose descend- 
ants still occupy the grounds. The last and most northerly set- 
tlement, was called Kneiskern's dorf, after John Peter Kneiskern, 
its leading man. It was two or three miles fi'om the last men- 
tioned settlement, and was made along the east side of the river, 
opposite the mouth of Cobel's kill. The Kneiskerns, Stubrachs, 
Enderses, Sidneys, Berghs and Houcks, residing in that vicinity, 
are descendants of the original settlers. This, and Bruna dorf, 
are the only ones of the seven settlements, in which the descend- 
ants of the list men or founders, dwell at the present day. The 
sectional names of Kneiskern's and Hartman's dorf, are still in 
use ; while the other five have sunk into oblivion. 

Among the first settlers at these seven dorfs, were some whose 
descendants still reside in the county, their first location in but 
few instances being now traceable. It is presumed many of them 
settled at the two most southern, and important villages. The 
Keysers, Boucks, Rickards, Rightmyers, Warners, Weavers, Zim- 
mers, Mattices, Zehs, Bellingers, Borsts, Schoolcrafts, Kryslers, 
Casselmans, Newkirks, Earharts, Browns, Settles and Merckleys, 
were doubtless among the first settlers. The whole number of 
Germans who located in the Schoharie valley in 1711, must have 
been between five and seven hundred. 



(51 ) 



CHAPTER n. 



Having located the pioneers of Schoharie according to their 
several inclinations, let us see how they were to live. More or 
less land was found at each settlement cleared, and with little 
pains, it was fitted for cultivation. It has been already shown 
that their effects were conveyed in such a manner, that we must 
presume they possessed very little of this world's gear. Their 
all, no doubt, consisted in a few rude tools, a scanty supply of 
provisions, a meagre wardrobe, and a small number of rusty fire 
arms : they had to manufacture their own furniture, if the apolo- 
gy for it, merited such a name. Bedsteads, they for some time 
dispensed with. From logs they cut blocks, which answered the 
purposes of chairs and tables ; sideboards, sofas, piano fortes, ot- 
tomans, carpets, &c., were to them neither objects of family pride, 
convenience or envy. They endeavored to foster the friendship 
of their Indian neighbors, and from them they received corn and 
beans, which the latter kindly showed them how to cultivate. 
Within one week after their arrival, four children were born ; a 
fact I think very worthy of record in the annals of this people. 
Their names were Catharine Mattice, Elizabeth Lawyer, Wilhel- 
mus Bouck and Johannes Earhart. In preparing ground for plant- 
ing, which was done in the absence of plows, by broad hoes, they 
found many ground nuts, which they made use of for food, the 
first season. I have no account of their having been furnished 
with provisions by the Queen's agent, after they left Albany, and 
suppose they were left to live on their o^n resources, and what 
the country afforded. , 

The want of grist mills, for several years, they found to be a 
source of great inconvenience. The stump mentioned in the pre- 



52 HISTORY OF SCHOHAEIE COUNTY, 

ceding chapter, which served as the southern bound of the first 
Indian purchase, not only answered the Indians, but the first 
Germans, the purpose of a corn mill. By the side of this hollow 
stump, an upright shaft and cross-bar ^ere raised, from which 
was suspended a heavy wood, or stone pestle, working on the 
principle of a pump. Their corn for several years, they hulled 
with lye, or pounded preparatory to eating it. 

Brown says, the first wheat was sowed in Schoharie in the fall 
of 1713, by Lambert Sternberg, of Garlock's dorf. As I have 
shown the arrrival of the Germans to have been two years ear- 
lier than the time stated by him, I suppose the first wheat to 
have been sown in the fall of 1711. 

As Schenectada was nearer the Schoharie settlements than 
Albany, for such necessaries as they required the first few years, 
they visited the former place the most frequently. Those who 
possessed the means, bought wheat there at two shillings a spint, 
(a peck,) or six shillings a skipple, had it ground and returned 
home with it on their backs, by a lonely Indian footh-path, 
through a heavy forest. It was thus, Sternberg carried the first 
skipple of wheat ever taken to Schoharie in the berry. He re- 
sided near the present residence of Henry Sternberg, a descend- 
ant of his. On the west side of the river, opposite Garlock's 
dorf, had been an Indian castle, which was abandoned about the 
time the Germans arrived ; the occupants having removed up the 
river, to the Wilder Hook. On the ground within the dilapidated 
inclosure, the wheat was sowed, or rather planted, (as they 
then had no plows or horses,) over more than an acre of ground; 
it was planted within this yard, because it was a warm, rich 
piece of ground with little grass on it, and being inclosed, would 
remove the danger of having the crop destroyed in the fall or 
sprino-, by deer, which were numerous on the surrounding moun- 
tains. This wheat, which rooted remarkably well in the fall, 
stood so thin, from having been scattered over so much ground, 
that it was hoed in the spring like a patch of corn ; and well 
was the husbandman rewarded for his labor. Every berry sent 
forth several stalks, every stalk sustained a drooping head, and 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 53 

every head teemed with numerous berries. When ripe, it was 
gathered with the greatest care ; not a single head was lost, and 
when threshed, the one yielded eighty-three skipples. In these 
days, when the weevil scarcely allows three, to say nothing of 
the eighty, bushels to one; this statement would perhaps be look- 
ed upon as incredible, were not all the circumstances known. 
Many procured seed from Sternberg, and it was not long before 
the settlers raised wheat enough for their own consumption. 

For several years, they had most of their grain floured at 
Schenectada. They usually went there in parties of fifteen or 
twenty at a time, to be better able to defend themselves against 
wild beasts, which then were numerous between the two places. 
Often, there were as many women as men in those journeys, and 
as they had to encamp in the woods at least one night, the wo- 
men frequently displayed when in danger, as much coolness and 
bravery as their liege lords. A skipple was the quantity usually 
borne by each individual, but the stronger often carried more. 
Not unfrequently, they left Schoharie to go to mill, on the morn- 
ing of one day, and were at home on the morning of the next ) 
performing a journey of between forty and fifty miles, in twenty- 
four hours or less, bearing the ordinary burden ; but at such times, 
they traveled most of the night without encamping. It is said, 
that women were not unfrequently among those who performed 
the journey in the shortest time — preparing a breakfast for their 
families, from the flour they had brought, on the morning after 
they left home. Where is the matron now to be found, in the 
whole valley of the Schoharie, who would perform such a jour- 
ney, in such a plight 7 

As may be supposed, many of the first settlers in Schoharie 
were related. Hence has arisen that weighty political argument 
sometimes heard, " he belongs to the cousin family." 

Owing to the industry and economy of the colonists, and the 
richness of the soil, want soon began to flee their dwellings, and 
plenty to enter; and as their clothes began to wax old, they 
manufactured others from dressed buck-skins, which they obtain- 
ed from the Indians. A file of those men, clad in buck-skin, 

5 



54 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

with caps of fox or wolf-skin, all of their own manufacture, must 
have presented a formidable appearance. It is not certain but 
the domestic economy of the male, was carried into the female 
department ; and that here and there a ruddy maiden, concealed 
her charming proportions beneath a habit of deer-skin. 

It is said that physicians accompanied the first Germans to 
Schoharie ; and that for many years, ministers, or missionaries, 
under pay from the British government, labored in the different 
German settlements in the country. They visited the people; 
married those whose peace of mind Cupid had destroyed ; 
preached to, and exhorted all. Their audiences usually occupied 
some convenient barn in the summer season, and the larger dwell- 
ings in the winter. 

The want of horses and cattle at first, was much felt by the 
settlements. By whom cattle, swine and sheep v/ere first intro- 
duced, I have been unable to learn. The first of the horse kind 
they possessed, was an old gray mare. She was purchased at 
Schenectada for a small sum, by nine individuals of Weiser's dorf ; 
and it is said they kept her moving. Who the nine were, who 
o-loried in owning this old Rosinante, is unknown ; but there can 
be little doubt that Weiser, the patroon, owned an important 
share. It may be asked, whether the people of those settlements, 
who resided too close together, to admit of lands for cultivation 
lying between them, did not live as do the shakers ; who 
make all their earnings common stock. With a mutual under- 
standing, each labored for his own benefit, and in order to prevent 
difliculty, lands were marked out and bounds placed, so that every 
one knew and cultivated his own parcel. 

Not long after the Germans settled in Schoharie, the Dutch be- 
gan a settlement in Vrooman's Land, on the west side of the river, 
two or three miles above Weiser's dorf. Adam Vrooman, a citizen 
of Schenectada — a farmer of considerable wealth, and somewhat 
advanced in life, took a royal patent for this land, from which cir- 
cumstance, it was called Vrooman's Land : by which name it is 
still distinguished. This patent was executed August 26, 1714. 
Previous to obtaining the royal title, Vrooman had received Indian 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 55 

conveyances for portions of the land as gifts. One of two deeds, 
which have escaped the fate of most of Col. Peter Vrooman's 
papers, contains the names of eighteen Indians, inserted in the 
following order : " Pennonequieeson, Canquothoo, Hendrick the 
Indian, [probably King Hendrick of the French war,] Kawna- 
wahdeakeoe, Turthyowriss, Sagonadietah, Tucktahraessoo, Onna- 
dahsea, Kahenterunkqua, Amos the Indian, Jacob the Indian, Cor- 
nelius the Indian, Gonhe Wannah, One.edyea, Leweas the Indian, 
Johanis the Indian, Tuquaw-in-hunt, and Esras the Indian, all 
owners and proprietors of a certain piece of land, situate, lying 
and being in the bounds of the land called Skohere." The title 
is for two hundred and sixty acres of land near the hill " called 
Onitstagrawa ;" two hundred of which were fiats, and sixty acres 
wood-land. The instrument closed as follows : " In testimony 
whereof, we, the three races or tribes of the Maquase, the Turtle, 
Wolf and Bear, being present, have hereunto set our marks and 
seals, in the town of Schenectady, this two and twentieth day of 
August, and in the tenth year of her Majesty's [Qiieen Anne's] 
reign. Annoque Domini, 1711." Eighteen wax seals are at- 
tached to the conveyance^ in front of which are arranged, in the 
order named, the devices of a turtle, a wolf and a bear, the form- 
er holding a tomahawk in one of its claws. 

The other deed alluded to, is dated April 30, 1714, and con- 
tains the eight following names : " Siuonneequerison, Tanuryso, 
Nisawgoreeatah,Turgourus, Honodaw, Kannakquawes, Tigreedon- 
tee, Onnodeegondee, all of the Maquaes country, native Indians, 
Owners and proprietors, &c." The deed was given for three hun- 
dred and forty acres of woodland, lying eastward of the sixty 
acres previously conveyed, " bounded northward by the Onitsta- 
grawa, to the southward by a hill called Kan-je- a-ra-go-re, to the 
westward by a ridge of hills that join to Onitstagrawa, extending 
southerly much like unto a half moon, till it joins the aforesaid 
hill Kanjearagore." This instrument closes in the manner of the 
one before noticed, except that each Indian's name is placed be- 
fore a seal to which he had made his mark. The ensigns of the 
three Mohawk tribes, are conspicuously traced in the midst of the 



56 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

signatures. One of the two witnesses to both deed? was Leo 
Stevens, a woman who acted as interpreter on the occasion of 
granting each conveyance. Both deeds were duly recorded in 
the secretary's office of the province. 

March 30lh, 1726, Adam Vrooman obtained a new Indian ti- 
tle to the flats known as Vrooraan's Land, executed by nine indi- 
viduals of the nation, " in behalf of all the Mohaugs Indians." 
Some difficulty had probably arisen, in consequence of his hold- 
ing more land than the first deeds specified. The new title gave 
the land previously conveyed with the sentence, " let there be as- 
much as there v/ill, more or less, for we are no surveyors ;" and 
was executed with the ensigns of the Mohawk nation — the turtle, 
wolf and hear. 

Vrooman's patent was bounded on the north by a point of the 
Onitstagrawa and the Line kill, and on the south by the white pine 
swamp, (as a little swamp near the present residence of Samuel 
Lawyer was then called) and a brook running from it, and em- 
braced a good part of the flats between those two bounds from 
the hill to the river, excepting the Wilder Hook : where dwelt 
many of the natives, and where, as before slated, was their strong- 
est castle. This patent was given for eleven hundred acres, more 
or less. It is said to have contained about fourteen hundred acres : 
than w'hich very little better land ever was tilled. He had not 
designed to settle on this land himself, but made the purchase for 
a son. Peter Vrooman, for whom it was bought, settled on it 
soon after the purchase. He had quite a family, his oldest son, 
Bartholomew, being at that time fourteen or fifteen years old. 
He had a house erected previous to his moving there, and other 
conveniences for living. The fu-st summer, he employed several 
hands, planted considerable corn, and fenced in some of his land. 
In the following autumn, he returned with his wife and children 
to Schenectada to spend the winter ; leaving a hired man by the 
name of Truax, and two blacks, Morter, and Mary his wife, to 
take care of the property ; of which he left considerable. Not 
long after Vrooman returned to Schenectada, Truax was most 
cruelly murdered. The circumstances attending this murder, are 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 57 

substantially as follows. The evening before his death, Truax 
returned from the pleasing recreation of gunning, with a mess of 
pigeons, which he told Mary to dress and prepare for breakfast. 
Being fatigued, he retired to rest earlier than usual, and soon for- 
got his cares and dangers, in a grateful slumber familiar to the 
sportsman. Mary cleansed the pigeons, and after having done 
so, she unconsciously put the knife into a side pocket still 
bloody, intending, but forgetting to wash it. Morter was absent 
from home during that evening and most of the night. Mary 
arose betimes in the morning, with no small pains prepared the 
savory dish, and waited sometime for Truax to rise. Observing 
that he kept his room unusually late, she went to his door and 
called to him, but received no answer. She tried to open the 
door and found it locked on the inside. As may be supposed, she 
felt the most lively apprehensions that all was not right. She 
could, from some position outside the house, look into his window. 
Thither she with trepidation went, when her suspicions were 
more than realized, and she learned too well the reason he had 
not risen at his usual hour. She quickly communicated intelli- 
gence of her discovery to the Indians, her nearest neighbors : 
who, on their arrival at the house, burst open the door of his 
room. Horrible indeed was the sight then disclosed. Poor 
Truax lay in his -bed, which he had sought without the least sus- 
picion of danger, cold and stiff in his own gore ; with his throat 
cut from ear to ear. Indian messengers were immediately dis- 
patched to Schenectada, to communicate the tragic affair to Peter 
Vrooman. About the same time, the bloody knife was discovered 
in the pocket of the weeping Mary. On the evening of the 
same, or early the following day, the messengers returned with 
Vrooman, and proper officers to arrest the murderer, or whoever 
might be suspected. Suspicions were fixed upon the two blacks; 
and when the fact of finding the bloody knife in the pocket of 
Mary, and the circumstance of Morter's being absent from home 
were known, both were arrested, and hurried off to Albany for 
trial. 

The day of examination soon arrived, and the prisoners were 



58 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

brought to the bar. The trial proceeded, and the testimony of 
the Indians, to whom Mary had first communicated her suspicions 
of the murder, was heard. No unsettled difficulty was shown to 
have existed between the murdered and the accused : indeed, lit- 
tle appeared at the trial to criminate the blacks, more than is al- 
ready known to the reader. When the facts, that the throat of 
Truax had been cut, that a bloody knife was found on the person 
of Mary, and that Morter had sullenly refused to answer questions 
during his arrest and confinement, were known to the court, cir- 
cumstantial evidence was deemed sufficiently strong and lucid to 
fix guilt upon them : and as the murder had been an aggravated 
one, the prisoners were sentenced, as tradition says, to be burned 
alive. When interrogated by the Judge, before passing his sen- 
tence, whether they had aught to say why sentence of death 
should not pass upon them, Mary boldly and firmly declared her 
innocence, and her ignorance of the real murderer : stating, in a 
feeling manner, all she knew of the aflfair ; how the knife had 
been heedlessly put into her pocket after cleansing the pigeons, 
and forgotten; how much she respected the deceased, and how 
much she lamented his untimely death ; and ended by an appeal 
to the great Judge of the universe of her innocence of the crime, 
for which she stood accused. Morter, on being interrogated, re- 
mained sullenly silent ; and after receiving the sentence, both 
were remanded to prison. On the day of their execution, which 
had not been long delayed, the condemned were taken west of 
the city a little distance, where had been previously prepared, a 
circular pile of pine faggots of a conical form. In the centre of 
the pile the victims were placed, and the fatal torch applied. 
Mary, still protesting her innocence, called on the Lord, whom she 
trusted would save her ; and prayed that he would, in the heavens, 
show to the spectators some token of her innocence. But alas ! 
the day of miracles had passed ; and as the flame surrounded her, 
she gave herself up to despair. She expired, endeavoring to 
convince the multitude of her innocence. Her companion met 
his fate, with the same stoic indifference he had manifested from 
the hour of his arrest. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 59 

After the execution of this unhappy couple, one of whom, as 
will be seen hereafter, expired innocent of the crime for which 
she suffered, the affair died away, and nothing further was dis- 
closed for several years. Facts then came to light revealing the 
whole transaction. At the time the murder was committed, a 
man by the name of Moore resided at Weiser's dorf. The Ger- 
mans at that settlement, which was distant from the dwelling of 
Vrooman about two miles, it was supposed, envied Vrooman the 
possession of the fine tract of land he had secured ; and by com- 
pelling him to abandon, hoped to possess it. It is not probable, 
however, that any one of them, except Moore, thought of getting 
it by the crime of murder. He conceived such a plan, and con- 
spired with Morter to carry it into execution. Moore thought if 
Truax was murdered, Vrooman would be afraid to return for fear 
of sharing a like fate, and would then dispose of the land on 
reasonable terms ; when he might secure to himself a choice par- 
cel. Morter was promised, as a reward for participating in the 
crime, the hand of Moore's sister in marriage. It is not likely 
the girl herself, had the most distant idea of the happiness her 
brother had in store for her. Amalgamation to Morter appeared 
in enticing garments. To pillow his head on a white bosom, and 
bask in amalgamated pleasure, would, he thought, amply com- 
pensate for becoming the tool of Moore. He therefore resolved 
to aid him, and it was agreed the deed should be executed in such 
a manner as to throw suspicion on Mary his wife : who, he in- 
tended, should prove no obstacle in the way of realizing his sen- 
sual desires. The circumstance of his wife's having pigeons to 
dress, seemed to favor the design. Perhaps he had seen her put 
the bloody knife into her pocket : at all events, the present seemed 
to them a favorable opportunity, and they resolved to accomplish 
the foul deed that night. Accordingly, at midnight, the murder- 
ers approached the house in which slumbered their innocent vic- 
tim. Finding his door locked, they found it necessary to devise 
some plan to gain admission to his room without breaking the 
lock, and, if possible, without alarming Mary, a victim they in- 
tended the law should claim. By some means they gained the 



60 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTYj 

top of the chimney, which was not very difficult, as the dwelling 
was but one story, and sliding carefully down that, they soon 
found themselves in the presence of their still slumbering victim. 
Which of the two drew the fatal knife is unknown ; it is supposed 
one held him, while the other, at a single stroke, severed the jugu- 
lar vein. The nefarious deed accomplished, the assassins left the 
room, and away they sped from the dwelling, fearful alike of theiv 
own shadows. 

The light of the morrow's sun disclosed this damnable deed. 
When the commotion and anxiety of the next day followed dis- 
covery, Moore feigned business from home, and kept out of the 
way until after the arrest of his hardened accomplice. Not long 
after this murder was committed, a disturbance arose among the 
Germans, through ignorance, as will be seen, and many of them 
left the Schoharie valley and sought a residence elsewhere, 
Moore was among those who went to Pennsylvania. He lived a 
life of fear for some years in that state, but at length a sum- 
mons from on high laid him upon a bed of languishing. As dis- 
ease preyed upon his vitals, the worm of torment gnawed his con- 
science. Sometimes in his broken slumbers, he was visited (in 
fancy,) by the ghost of a man struggling upon a bed ; and as he 
heard the rattle of his throat as the breath left his body, he saw 
the fearful gash and the flowing blood. At other times he saw 
two persons, whom the crackling flames were devouring ; and, as 
the appeal to heaven for a token of the innocence of one of them 
rang in his ears, he often awoke with exclamations of horror. 
Being past the hope of recovery, and so grievously tormented, in 
order to relieve in some measure his guilty conscience, he dis- 
closed the facts above related. Truax was the first white man 
murdered in Schoharie county ; and may be said to have fallen a 
victim to the unholy cause of amalgamation. 

The Germans had not been long in possession of the Schoharie 
flats, and were just beginning to live comfortably, when Nicholas 
Bayard, an agent from the British crown, appeared in their midst. 
He put up in Smith's dorf, at the house of Han-Yerry (John 
George) Smith, already noted as being the best domicil in the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 61 

settlement. ■ From this house, (which was in fact the first hotel in 
Schoharie, and might have been called the half-way house, as 
Smith's was the central of the seven dorfs,) Bayard issued a no- 
tice, that to every house-holder, who v/ould make known to him 
the boundaries of the land he had taken ; he would give a deed 
in the name of his sovereign. The Germans, ignorant though 
honest, mistook altogether the object of the generous offer, and 
supposing it designed to bring them again under tyrannic land- 
holders, and within the pale of royal oppression, resolved at once 
to kill Bayard, whom they looked upon as a foe to their future 
peace; and by so doing, establish more firmly the independence 
they had for several years enjoyed. Consequently, early the next 
morning, the nature of the resolve having been made known the 
evening before, the honest burghers of Schoharie, armed with 
guns and pitch-forks; with many of the softer sex, in whom 
dwelt the love of liberty, armed with broad hoes, clubs and other 
missiles ; surrounded the hotel of Smith, and demanded the per- 
son of Bayard, dead or alive. Mine host, who knew at that ear- 
ly day that a well managed hotel was the traveler's home, posi- 
tively refused to surrender to his enraged countrymen, his guest. 
The house was besieged throughout the day. Sixty balls w^ere 
fired by the assailants through the roof, which was the most vul- 
nerable part, as that was straw : and as Bayard had, previous to 
his arrival, been by accident despoiled of an eye, he ran no little 
risk of returning to the bosom of his family, if fortunate enough 
to return, totally blind. Bayard was armed with pistols, and oc- 
casionally returned the fire of his assailants, more, no doubt, with 
the design of frightening, than of killing them. Having spent 
the last round of their ammunition, hunger beginning to gnaw, 
and the sable shades of evening to conceal the surrounding hills, 
the siege was raised, and the heroes of the bloodless day dispersed 
to their homes, to eat their fill and dream on their personal ex- 
ploits — the invulnerability of their foe, and the mutability of 
princely promises. The coast again clear, Bayard left Schoharie, 
and under the cover of night, traveled to Schenectada. From 
there he sent a message to Schoharie, offering to give, to such as 



62 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

should appear there with a single ear of corn — acknowledge him 
the regal agent — and name the bounds of it, a free deed and last- 
ing title to their lands. No one felt inclined to call on the agent, 
whose life they had attempted to take, and after waiting some 
time, he went to Albany and disposed of the lands they occupied, 
to five individuals. The patent was granted to Myndert Schuyler, 
Peter Van Brugh, Robert Livingston, jr., John Schuyler and Hen- 
ry Wileman, the purchasers, and was executed at Fort George, 
in New York, on the third day of November, 1714, in the first 
year of the reign of George L, by Robert Hunter, then Governor 
of the province, in behalf of the King. The date of this con- 
veyance, I think, goes far to prove the settlement of Schoharie to 
have been as early as the time previously given ; as the settlers 
had been upon their lands several years, and were beginning to 
live comfortably, previous to the arrival of the royal agent. 

This patent began at the northern limits of the Vrooman pa- 
tent, on the west side of the river, and the little Schoharie kill on 
the opposite side, and ran from thence north ; taking in a strip 
on both sides of the river : at times mounting the hills, and at 
others leaving a piece of flats, until it nearly reached the present 
Montgomery county line. It curved some, and the intention was, 
to embrace all the flats in that distance. Patent was taken for 
ten thousand acres. Lewis Morris, jr., and Andrus Coeman, who 
were employed by the purchasers to survey and divide the land ; 
finding the fiats along Fox's creek, and a large piece at Kneis- 
kern's dorf, near the mouth of Cobel's kill, were not included in 
that patent ; lost no time in securing them. Those several pa- 
tents often ran into each other, and in some instances were so far 
apart, as to leave a gore between them. The patent taken to se- 
cure the remainder of the fiats at Kneiskern's dorf, began at a 
spring on the west side of the river, near the bridge which now 
crosses that stream above Schoharie Court House, and also ran to, 
or near the Montgomery county line. Between that and the first 
patent secured, M'hich were intended to embrace all the flats, was 
left a very valuable gore, which Augustus Van Cortlandt after- 
wards secured. Finding much difficulty in dividing their lands, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 63 

they so often intersected, the first five purchasers and their sur- 
veyors, Morris and Coeman, whose right in the Schoharie soil 
was proportionably valuable, agreed to make joint stock of the 
three patents. Since that time they have been distinguished as 
the lands of the seve7i partners Patents and deeds granted at 
subsequent dates, for lands adjoining those of the seven partners, 
were, in some instances, bounded in such a manner as to infringe 
on those of the latter, or leave gores between them. As may be 
supposed, evils were thus originated, which proved a source of 
bickering and litigation for many years. Suits for partition, were 
brought successively in Schoharie county in 1819 — 25 — 26 — 28 
and 29 : at which time they were finally adjusted. The latest 
difficulties are said to have existed between the people of Duanes- 
burg and Schoharie. 

After the seven partners secured their title to the Schoharie 
flats, they called on the Germans who dwelt upon them, either to 
take leases of, to purchase, or to quit them altogether. To neither 
of these terms would they accede, declaring that Queen Anne had 
given them the lands, and they desired no better title. The read- 
er will bear in mind the fact, that those people had no lawyers 
among them, except by name, on their arrival — that they livecj 
in a measure isolated from those who could instruct them — that 
they spoke a language different from that in which the laws of 
the country were written, which laws they were strangers to ; and 
that they placed implicit confidence in the promises of the good 
Queen, that they should have the lands free ; and he will be less 
surprised at their stubbornness. Their faith in the promises of the 
Queen, had not been misplaced, as the intention of the crown to 
give them free titles by Bayard clearly proves. The great diffi- 
culty proceeded from their ignorance of the utility, and manner of 
granting deeds. The patent taken by the five partners was dated 
in November, 1714 ; and it was not until the first of August of 
that year, that Queen Anne died. It is therefore very probable, 
Bayard was an agent commissioned by her ; if not, by George I., 
who intended in good faith to carry into effect the design of his 
predecessor. Whether royal agents were sent to the other Ger- 



64 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

man settlements in the United States for the same charitable put- 
pose or not, I am unable to say. 

At this period of the history, several incidents transpired wor- 
thy of notice. I have already remarked that the Germans were 
fond of athletic exercises. After their location, such sports as 
were calculated to try their speed and strength, were not unfre- 
quentlj indulged in. 

In the summer of 1713 or '14, a shwip was given by the In- 
dians to their German neighbors at Weiser's dorfj to run a foot 
race, offering to stake on the issue, a lot of dressed de^^r-skins 
against some article the Germans possessed ; possibly, tlieir old 
mare. The challenge was accepted, and a son of Conrad 
Weiser was selected, to run against a little dark Indian, called the 
most agile on foot of all the tribe. On a beautiful day the par- 
ties assembled at Weiser's dorf to witness the race. The race- 
course was above the village, and on either side the Germans and 
Indians took stations to encourage their favorites. About indi- 
vidual bets on the occasion, I have nothing to say. The couple 
started, a distance of half a mile or more from the goal, at a giv- 
en signal, and onward they dashed with the fleetness of antelopes, 
amid the shouts and huzzas of the spectators. The race was to 
terminate just beyond the most southern dwelling of Weiser's dorf. 
They ran v.'ith nearly equal speed until their arrival at the dwell- 
ing mentioned, sometimes fortune inclining to the white, and 
sometimes to the red skin ; when an unexpected event decided the 
contest in favor of the German. They had to run very close to 
the house, and Weiser, being on the outside as they approached it 
side by side, sprang with all his might against his competitor. 
The sudden impetus forced the Indian against the building, and 
he rebounded and fell half dead upon the ground. Weisor then 
easily won the race, amid the loud, triumphant shouts of his coun- 
trymen. Whether the victor found his strength failing him, and 
adopted the expedient of disabling the Indian from fear ot losing 
the wager, or whether, confident of superior pedestrian powers, 
he gave the Indian a jog with malicious intent, is unknown to the 
writer. The Indians, and their defeated champion, were terribly 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 65 

enraged at first, and positively refused to give up the forfeit : but 
Weiser, who had ah'eady learned much of the Indian character, 
and knew the danger of trifling with their misfortunes, with a 
grave-yard countenance, appeased their wrath, by satisfying them 
that the whole difficulty proceeded from accident — that he stum- 
bled upon some obstacle which rendered it unavoidable, and 
was very sorry it had happened. With this explanation their 
anger was appeased, and they delivered up the skins ; from which 
it is but fair to conclude, the whole Weiser family were clothed. 
This is the only dishonest trick I have heard related of the first 
Germans, and with the exception of Moore, they seem to have 
been strangers to crime. Foot races were often run by those 
people : at times, fifteen or twenty entering the course together. 

It has been already remarked, that the Germans settled in 
clusters or dorfs, to be the better able to repel Indian invasion, 
and it now remains to be shown that such caution was rewarded, 
if tradition speaks the truth. The privilege the writer claims, he 
allows to the reader, to wit : that of believing as much of the fol- 
lowing story as he pleases. When related to him, the author 
thought it too good to be lost. 

At the foot of the hill south of where stood Hartman's dorf, 
which is the descent from a table land to the river flats, as the 
road now lies, may be observed on one side a kind of marsh, 
through which runs a brook, receiving in its course the waters of 
several springs. At the period to which I allude, this marsh was 
thickly covered with alders and other swamp timber, and aiforded 
a safe covert for no inconsiderable force. Early upon a certain 
day, in a certain year, Karighondontee and many of his warriors 
were assembled at this swamp, to give battle to the good people 
of Hartman's dorf, distant half a mile from the encampment. If 
the reader desired to know the cause of difficulty, or in what pre- 
cise year it arose, I should be unable to inform him ; it must have 
been previous to the arrival of Bayard. It being rumored 
through the place that it was besieged, great was the commo- 
tion through its one important street. By times, the brave Cap- 
tain Hartman had taken a public station, and around him a mul- 



66 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

litude were soon gathered. The tactic skill of the Captain re- 
quired little time in marshaling his brave followers — his tender 
care about their temporal affairs at the Camps being still remem- 
bered — who waited with impatience the march to glory. What 
other officers assisted Captain Hartman on this momentous occa- 
sion, is of no consequence at this late period. Various were the 
weapons with which the dangerous looking corps were armed- 
Few lire-arms might have been seen, but forks, shovels, broad 
hoes, axes, poles, clubs, hand-saws, and the Lord knows what 
other missiles, gleamed threateningly in the sun. Indeed, the 
care-worn and trusty swoid of the Captain, when drawn, added 
not a little to the warlike appearance of the troop, to say nothing 
of its multiform, military garb. " What a fine martial array," 
thought he, as his eye ran along the ranks, and he gave the com- 
mand to " face towards the river and march !" Each individual 
of the brave band cast a furtive, speaking glance at the front 
stoop of his own dwelling, where stood the domestic circle weep- 
ing or encouraging, or that of his lover, who was leaning upon 
the half opened door, with an arm across her face to conceal the 
gushing tear, or her pouting, nectareal lip ; and to the enlivening 
sound of the violin, their favorite and only music, set forward 
with a firm step, determined to conquer or die. Two-thirds of 
the distance from the village to the rendezvous of the enemy al- 
ready in his rear, the Captain ordered a halt, to communicate to 
his troops some necessary instructions about the plan and manner 
of prosecuting the attack. Some of his men now hesitated 
about assaulting ihe enemy, as they were mostly armed with un- 
erring rifles. The misgivings on this score soon became general, 
and then was called forth all the donnant eloquence their brave 
leader was so noted for possessing. Stepping upon a stump, 
from which position his commanding person and cheerful counte- 
nance were truly conspicuous, he addressed his followers. He 
directed their attention to the time when they were persecuted in 
Germany — to the perils they had overcome by sea and land. He 
assured them that although the enemy had rifles, yet not one of 
them should discharge. He conjured them not to sully, by cow- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 67 

ardice, their national character. He reminded them of their so- 
cial relations which were jeopardized — of the love of their wives, 
their parents, their children, and lastly of their plighted. He ac- 
companied the latter part of his pathetic speech, with a signifi- 
cant flourish of his sword towards their village, a part of which 
was still in view. The appeal was irresistahle, and with one 
voice the whole corps, in true German, responded — " Fuehret an !" 
Lead on ! Fearlessly he did lead on, and thus was he followed. 
Faith is the vital principle by which every successful effort of 
man is put forth, and without it, the sinews of war are powerless. 
Indeed, faith is no less requisite in war than religion, and no bat- 
tle ever was won without it. So thought the daring Hartman, 
and so had he instructed his followers to think. When they came 
to the wood in which the enemy had taken a position, the Ger- 
mans, following the example of their Captain, rushed furiously 
upon the wary foe. They met, as had been anticipated, his lev- 
eled guns, but no sound, save their repeated clicks, was heard : 
no death-telling report rang through the valley, and the whoops 
of the savages, as they noted the failure of their rifles, gradually 
died away on the morning air. The confidence of the colonists 
was increased, on beholding the prophecy of their Captain veri- 
fied, in the click of non- discharging fire-arms, and true to their 
leader, they seconded all his movements. The red man fell back 
abashed, and ere he could discover the cause of his ill luck, the 
sturdy German was upon him, the sight of whose weapon was 
enough to carry terror to his heart's warmest blood, and he was 
compelled again to flee. " An !" shouted the immortal Captain, 
" An !" The charge was too impetuous to be withstood, and the 
Indians fled in terror, uttering, as they left the swamp in posses- 
sion of their enemy, the death yell. Well might they have sup- 
posed, from the clashing of missiles coming accidentally in con- 
tact with their fellows, or with obtruding trees, and now and then 
with the head or shoulders of their comrades, that the carnao-e 
was terrible, and the reason for the death yell obviously augment- 
ed. What a cruel, bloody art, is war. The troops of Captain 
Hartman belabored the natives lustily with fork and hoe, as may 



68 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

be supposed, in their retreat. Here, some were seen hobbling off 
from the field of battle with bruised shins ; there, others M'ith el- 
bows or fingers disjointed — all amazed at the manifest prowess of 
their German enemies, and still more dismayed that their rifles 
gave no report. If any there were among them who fought on 
that m.emorable occasion with bows and arrows, and doubtless 
there were some, it is highly probable the thick buck-skin gar- 
ments of the colonists arrested the further progress of their arrows 5 
else the fate of the day might still have been different, and I now 
had to record the success, instead of the defeat, of the stout Ca- 
nadian Chief, Karighondontee. The little army of Harttean were 
soon left complete masters of the bloodless field, (as it would 
have been, had not the careless wielding of the missiles brought 
them occasionally in contact with a nasal organ ;) and the re- 
peated German huzzas of the conquerors, reverberated along the 
Oucong€7ia. 

The enemy fairly ousted and the field gloriously won, the 
victors returned again to their homes to a still more en- 
livening air than the one with which they had left them, the 
whole length of the bow being given it ; where awaited them 
the cheers and smiles of their fair ones. It is but reasonable to 
suppose, that a messenger had been sent forward to apprise the 
villagers of the great success and triumph of the German arms, 
without loss of life or limb, since I must believe, that had the 
good matrons been expecting to see any of the corps borne home 
on a litter, they would not have made the welkin ring with their 
shouts. Thus ended the first regular battle of the Germans in the 
valley of Schoharie, no less gloriously than did the siege of Smith's 
hotel, already before the reader, on which occasion they com- 
pelled their supposed enemy to flee by night. One thing, how- 
ever, remained to be done, the pipe of peace was yet to be 
smoked. Accordingly, on an appointed day, soon after the 
battle, the parties met in the shade of a majestic oak, not a mile 
from the battle field, which had buffeted the storms of several cen- 
turies, and may be still standing, and well and faithfully did the 
Germans smoke the calumet. They are a people extremely fond 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 69 

of fumigating, and the opportunity to show their Indian neigh- 
bors their patience and skill in the art, as may be supposed, was 
heartily embraced. Nor is it improbable, that their countrymen 
at Weiser's dorf were guests on so important an occasion. The 
Indians were again compelled to accord to their (now) friends of 
the pipe, superior skill. ThcvVirginia weed all burned, the par- 
ties dispersed. Well would it be if all battles ended, like the bat- 
tle of Hartman's dorf, in nothing worse than smoke. 

Perhaps thou art amazed, kind reader, while perusing the sim- 
ple narrative of this battle, to find that the fire-arms of the In- 
dians did not discharge. The days of witchcraft are now happi- 
ly passed forever ; but the time has been, when it was no uncom- 
mon thing for a spell or enchantment to extend to the lock of a 
rifle : so says tradition. — George Warner. 

We have seen how Bayard, the royal agent, was treated, when 
he visited Schoharie to execute deeds to the German land-holders • 
that in consequence, the land was disposed of, and it now remains 
to be shown what effect that sale had on the tenant. Being called 
upon by the partners to lease or purchase, they declared they 
would do neither. Finding lenient measures of no avail, they re- 
solved to obtain justice by the strong arm of the law. Accord- 
ingly, a sheriff from Albany, by the name of Adams, was sent to 
apprehend some of the boldest of the trespassers, as they had now 
become, and frighten others into proper terms. The Albanians 
greatly underrated the character and bravery of those people, who 
had not only compelled an agent of the crown to flee, but had, in 
fair fight, victoriously battled their Indian neighbors. It is possi- 
ble they had never heard of that terrible conflict. Adams, con- 
scious of his own honorable intentions, passing through a part of 
the valley, made a halt at Weiser's dorf. He had no sooner 
discovered his business and attempted the arrest of an individu- 
al, than a mob was collected, and at that early day the lynch law 
was enforced. The women of that generation, as has been shown 
by their journeys to Schenectada, possessed Amazonian strength 
and constitutions, if not proportions ; nor, indeed, were they lack- 
ing in Spartan bravery. A part of those well-meaning dameSj, 

6 



70 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

remembering the promises of Queen Anne, and sharing with 
their husbands the belief that they were objects of oppression, — 
that the intention was to compel them to pay for lands they al- 
ready considered their own ; under the direction of Magdalene 
Zeh, a self appointed captain, took the sheriff into their own 
hands and dealt with him according to his deserts, of which the 
captain was judge. He was knocked down by a blow from the 
magistrate, and inducted into various places in that young village 
where the sow delighted to wallow. After receiving many in- 
dignities in the neighborhood of Weiser's dorf, some of which he 
was conscious of receiving and some not, he was placed upon a 
rail, and rode skimington through most of the settlements. He 
was exhibited at Hartman's, Bruna, Smith's and Fox's dorfs to 
his discomfiture ; and finally deposited on a small bridge, made of 
logs, that had been placed across a stream on the old Albany .road, 
a distance from the starting point of between six and seven miles ; 
no ordinary journey for such a conveyance. This stream was 
formerly called Mill brook, — why, remains to be seen, — and cross- 
es the road a short distance west of the residence of Peter Mann, 
in Fox's creek valley. The captain then seized a stake, which 
she carelessly laid over his person, until two of his ribs made four, 
and his organs of vision were diminished one half. She then, 
with little ceremony and less modesty, bathed his temples in a 
very unusual, though simple manner, to the great annoyance of 
the uninjured eye — poor fellow, he could not resist the kindness — 
and called oflf her compatriots, leaving him for dead ; or rather 
to die if he chose. He saw fit to do no such act, in such a plight, 
and after such a nurdng ; and as soon as consciousness returned, 
how long after Mistress Lynch had left him is unknown, he gath- 
ered himself together and departed for Albany. What strange 
thoughts must have occupied his mind, while homeward bound. 
He must have been conscious, when the faculties of his mind re- 
newed their action, that whether his knowledge had increased or 
not, his humps assuredly had. His progress must necessarily have 
been very slow, thus bruised and maimed, and it was not until the 
third day after he had been on the rail-roJe, that he reached Ver- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 71 

re-herg, a hill seven miles west of Albany, from whence he was 
taken to the city in a wagon. As there were no public houses, 
and few Samaritans on the road at that time, he was exposed 
nights to the carnival of wild beasts, and by day, to danger of 
perishing with hunger. His arrival at Albany, wounded and 
/lalf blind as he was, and maul-treated as he had been, prognosti- 
cated no good for the people of Schoharie. The leading facts in 
the foregoing statement, were published by Judge Brown, who 
assured the author that he received them from Sheriff Adams, vi- 
va-voce — from his own lips. 

The word berg, as we have shown, signifies a hill or mountain. 
At the period of which I write, before public houses were estab- 
lished between the two places, the people of Schoharie, who had 
occasion to go to Albany to make disposals and purchases, went 
in squads and encamped out over night. The most important 
bergs and creeks on the road, were th^ the guides by which they 
knew the route, distance, &c., and served the traveler in lieu of 
mile-stones. The first important stopping place, after leaving 
Schoharie, was at the Long-berg, east of Gallupville. There, if 
the wayfarer left the valley late, he tarried over night : to it was 
therefore called the first day's journey. The Beaverkill, which is 
a branch of Fox's creek, was also a guide : then came the Feght- 
berg, Supawn-berg, Lice-berg, Helle-berg, Botte-Mentis-berg, 
and lastly Verre-berg. All these names had some significant 
meaning, which continued to remind the traveler of their origin, 
long after the road, which was then little more than a rough foot 
path, and hardly admissible for any kind of wagons, became a 
public one, properly laid out. Long-berg signified the long hill. 
Feght-berg, the fighting hill, the origin of which has previously 
been given. Supaan is the name among the Germans and Dutch, 
by which Indian pudding, usually called mush or hasty pudding 
among the English, is known. Why that name attaches to a hill, 
the writer has not been informed. The origin of Lice-berg and 
Verre-berg are also among the mysteries. A hill was called Bot- 
te-Mentis-berg from the following circumstance. A man, whose 
given name was Botte Mace,— or Bartholomew in English — was 



72 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

passing along in the evening and fell into a pit, where he was 
obliged to remain until morning : to the nearest hill was given bis 
name, by which it was long after known. ^ 

As may be supposed, the people of Schoharie, after dealing 
with poor Adams in the manner they had, became cautious about 
visiting Albany, where several of tiie partners resided. There 
was, in fact, little intercourse between Schoharie and Albany for 
some time : the people of the former viewing those of the latter 
place, in a light of lively apprehension. In civilized life, it is 
happily ordered that one community shall not live entirely inde- 
pendent of all others. There were some necessaries which they 
must have, and v/hich they could not well procure vdthout going 
there. The men, therefore, sent their wives after salt ; which 
was one of the indispensables ; saying, in effect, they will rever- 
ence them : and if they did venture to Albany themselves, they 
were sure to do so on the ISabbath, and equally mindful of leav- 
ing the same evening. What a profanation of the Lord's day !— 
but let us not anticipate a judgment. By remaining silent in the 
mean time, and not appearing to heed their coming or going, the 
real owners of the Schoharie soil, lured the occupants into a be- 
lief, that all the malicious acts extended to Sheriff Adams, not 
forgetting the last act of Magdalene, were entirely forgotten : 
and that there was no longer any need of caution about entering 
that good city. It was indeed presuming much on the charity of 
the partners, whose agent had been so harshly treated : but no 
matter, such was the fact. With the vigilance of the sentinel 
crow, were the people of Schoharie watched, who began to be 
looked upon as being no better than they should be, — as women 
are wont to say of frail sisters, — and preparations were matured 
for seizing some of them. It was not long after suspicion was 
lulled, before quite a number of them entered the city for salt, 
when the partners, with Sheriff Adams and posse, arrested and 
committed them to jail. The most notorious of the party were 
placed in the dungeon, among whom was Conrad Weisei", jr., of 
running memory. As soon as news of this arrest and impri- 
sonment reached Schoharie, her citizens were horror stricken 7 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 73 

" Wliat shall we do V — was the interrogatory on the lips of one 
and all. How sadly, thought they, have we realized our Euro> 
pean dreams of American happiness. Desirous of remedying in 
future the evils to which they were subjected, it was, at a meet- 
ing of the citizens, resolved to get up a petition setting forth 
their grievances, persecutions, &c.; and delegate three of their 
number to lay it, with all due humility, at the feet of King George; 
praying, at the time, for his future protection against their ene- 
mies, the Albanians. This petition, which is said to have been 
drawn by John Newkirk, was entrusted to the elder Conrad Wei- 
ser, one Cassleman, and a third person, name not known, for pre- 
sentation. 

Looking through grates and living on bread and water, had a 
wonderful effect on the spirits and temper of the incarcerated ci- 
tizens of Schoharie. They therefore made a virtue of necessity, 
and resolved to comply with the requisitions of the law, by taking 
leases and agreeing to pay rent for, or to purchase the land. Be- 
fore releasing the prisoners, the partners drew up a statement of 
the abuses to Bayard and Adams, when in the discharge of their 
official duties at Schoharie, and required them to be witnessed un- 
der hand and seal. This last requisition complied with, they 
were allowed to depart for their own homes. 

The importance with which the colonists viewed this matter 
may be conceived by the delegation to England : for, surely, no 
trifling consideration would induce three men, who loved retire- 
ment, to make such a journey at such a time. We should look 
upon it at the present day, as being a great undertaking — saying 
nothing of locomotives, rail-roads and steam- packets, which were 
then unknown. No delay was allowed after procuring the duly 
attested evidence of the proceedings of Judge Lynch : it was for- 
warded immediately to the King. It is highly probable, that the 
same ship bore the Schoharie ambassadors and the swift witness 
against them, to the British throne. The petition was presented 
about the year 1714 or '15. The ship in due time arrived in Eng- 
land, and the Schoharie delegation, wishing to make a respecta- 
ble appearance among the ybreigw ambassadors, -were subjected to 



74 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

some little delay, in arranging their wardrobe, exchanging their 
buck-skin garments for cloth, &c.: in the mean time, the message 
of the partners was under the consideration of the King. On 
presenting their petition, how were Weiser and his friends as- 
tounded, to find the King and his ministry in possession of all the 
late transactions at Schoharie. Had the ghosts of Bayard and 
Adams appeared before them, they would hardly have been more 
horror-stricken, than they were to hear their own misdemeanors 
told them from such a source. Their confusion betrayed their 
guilt, and established, beyond a doubt, the truth of the charges 
prefercd against them and their neighbors. The King and his 
advisers, supposing the evil deeds of the Schoharie people result- 
ed from had hearts instead of ignorance, the real parent of all 
their difficulties, without listening to what they might say for 
themselves, ordered them to close confinement in the tower. 

How much the present difficulty of these well meaning people 
argues in favor of an education, and a knowledge of the world 
and its transactions. Had they been better informed, they would 
have been less suspicious ; for suspicion and distrust are the hand- 
maids of ignorance. The liberal minded, is generally the well 
informed man. But, as already remarked, there were some good 
reasons for their not advancing rapidly in their knowledge of men 
and things. They spoke not the general language of the coun- 
try : which circumstance prevented, in a measure, that intercourse 
with the world, so necessary to the expansion of the human un- 
derstanding, and the removal of national or local prejudices. 
They were accustomed to transact most of their own business 
without pen, ink or paper ; and, agreeable to the knowledge they 
had, and their own method of doing business, they considered a 
promise made in good faith, as valid as a bond, for such in fact it 
was with them, and never dreamed of the possibility of their be- 
ing mistaken about the object of Bayard's mission ; or that any 
thing farther was necessary from the British crown to establish 
their legal title to the lands, than the mere promise of the Queen 
that they should, without money or price, possess them. 

During the confinement of the disappointed trio, many of the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 75 

people of Schoharie, convinced that they stood in their own light, 
and that they had wholly mistaken the intention of Bayard, too 
late indeed to obtain a legal title to their lands free of charge, be- 
gan to purchase of the partners, who granted them liberal terms. 
At length, Weiser and his comrades were discharged from the 
tower, and proceeded home with all possible haste : and had the 
former only been by name in the positive degree on his arrival in 
England, he assuredly would have been by nature in the compa- 
rative on his return to Schoharie ; as he had become in fact much 
wiser. The return of the embassy, whose mission had resulted 
in effecting nothing but disgrace for themselves ; and tended only 
to disclose the general ignorance of their constituents, created no 
little excitement in the valley. Conrad Weiser was, by nature, a 
proud, high-spirited man, and could not brook the mortification 
his own ignorance had originated. Soon after his return, he re- 
solved to leave Schoharie forever, and had little difficulty in per- 
suading many of his countrymen to join him. Accordingly, with 
as little delay as possible, about sixty families packed up and set 
forward with all they possessed for Pennsylvania. The want of 
horses and cows, which was so seriously felt by the Germans when 
they first located at Schoharie, was, at the time I now speak of, a 
source of little inconvenience, as they then owned a goodly num- 
ber. The disaffected party passed up the Schoharie river, piloted 
by an Indian. Brown says, they arrived, after a journey of five 
days, at the Cook-house,* where they made canoes, in which they 
went down the Susquehanna. Here is a trifling error in his 

* I make the following extract from a letter from the Hon. ErastusRoot, of. 
the New York Senate, in answer to several inquiries, dated Albany, April 
11th, 1843. " You ask whence originated the name of Cook House. Vari- 
ous derivations have been given, but the most natural and probable one is 
this — That on the large flat bearing the name, being on the way from Cochec- 
ton, by the Susquehanna and Chemung to Niagara, there was a hut erected, 
where some cooking utensils were found. It had probably been erected by 
some traveler who had made it his stopping place and had cooked his provi- 
sions there. It has been stated to me as a part of the tradition, that the hut 
remained many years as a resting place to the weary traveler, and that the 
rude cooking utensils were permitted to remain as consecrated to the use of 
succeeding sojourners." General Root went to reside in Delaware county in 
1796. 



76 HISTOEY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

pamphlet, as the Cook-house is on the Delaware river. As he 
says, they passed down the Susquehanna, preparing their canoes 
for that purpose, near the mouth of the Charlotte river. Nicho- 
las Warner, one of the oldest citizens of Schoharie county, in the 
fall of 1837, assured the author that he had seen the stumps of 
the trees on the Charlotte branch of the Susquehanna, which 
Weiser and his friends felled to make the canoes from, in which 
they floated down the river. Their cattle and horses were driven 
along the shore, and were frequently in sight of the water party, 
until the latter left their canoes. Weiser and his followers settled 
at a place called Tulpehocken, in Berks county, Pennsylvania, on 
the north side of a creek of that name ; where, it is said, he be- 
came a distinguished and useful citizen.* The party probably 
settled near their countrymen who emigrated from Germany at 
the time they did, and located in that State. Most of the fami- 
lies which followed the fortunes of Weiser, were from Weiser's 
and Hartman's dorfs. Hartman Winteker removed at the same 
time to Pennsylvania. Whether they had to purchase lands in 
Tulpehocken, I cannot say. Few of Weiser's party ever revisited 
Schoharie : several old men did, however, nearly fifty years after. 
A singular circumstance is said to have transpired, showing the 
instinct of the horses which accompanied the emigration to Penn- 
sylvania. Twelve of those noble animals left their master's cribs, 
and after an absence from them of a year and a half, ten of them, 
in good condition, arrived at Schoharie : a distance through the 
wilderness of over three hundred miles. It is possible they re- 
membered the sweet cloverf of Weiser's dorf, and longed again 
to munch it. 

Two instances of brute instinct, not dissimilar to the one rela- 

* In 1744, one Conrad Weiser was Indian interpreter for the colony of 
Pennsylvania, who was, doubtless, the swift-footed son of the one named in 
the context. 

t The land through which the little Schoharie kill, in Middleburgh, runs to 
the river, is to this day called the clauver W7j, which signiGes the clover pas- 
ture. When the Schoharie valley was first settleii, the land along that stream 
was thickly covered with clover, which was seen in few other places aboat 
the Schoharie : hence the appropriate namco 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 77 

ted, were told the author by Mrs. Van Slyck. About the year 
1770, the Bartholomews removed from New Jersey to the Char- 
lotte river. Soon after their arrival there, three of their horses 
disappeared, and after much unsuccessful searching for them, it 
was concluded they had strayed away and become a prey to wild 
beasts. Judge the surprise of the owners to learn after some time, 
that one of them had been taken up within two, and another with- 
in five miles of their former residence. The third was found by 
them near Catskill. 

The other story is perhaps the most singular of the two, as the 
horse has given numberless instances of remarkable sagacity. 
Not many years from the period above cited, Ephraim Morehouse 
removed in the spring from Dutchess county to the vicinity of the 
Charlotte river. He passed through the Schoharie valley on his 
way, and tarried over night with Samuel Vrooman, father of my 
informant, with whom he was acquainted. He drove with his 
cattle a large sow with a bell on. As Morehouse approached 
the end of his journey, the sow disappeared. After considerable 
delay in a fruitless search for her, he proceeded on his way. In 
the following autumn he revisited the place of his former resi- 
dence, and on his return again tarried over night with Vrooman. 
He then related the circumstance of losing his sow, and again 
finding her. She had returned to the old stye in due time, to the 
great surprise of the neighborhood. W^hether she retraced her 
way by the same path or not is unknown ; but to reach her for- 
mer place, had been compelled to swim the Hudson, and peiform 
a solitary journey of one hundred miles. 

About the time Weiser and his friends left Schoharie, there 
were others among the dissatisfied, who, not choosing to follow 
his fortunes, sought a future residence in the Mohawk valley. 
Elias Garlock, the founder of Garlock's dorf, removed to the Mo- 
hawk, accompanied by several of his neighbors. Some of -the 
party had relatives or friends there who located at the time the 
Schoharie settlements were begun, which induced them to remove 
thither. They settled in and about Canajoharie, at Stone Ara- 
bia, or upon the German Flats. 



78 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

Tradition has preserved but little in the life of Justice Garlock, 
the most noted of the Schoharie Germans, who removed to the 
Mohawk valley. He is said, while there, to have been the only 
justice of the peace in the Schoharie valley. The name of the 
shrewd constable who aided him in administering the few laws by 
which they were governed, has been lost. Only one important 
decision of this sage justice is known to the author. His sum- 
mons was usually delivered to the constable viva voce, and thus 
by him to the transgressor of the law. If the justice wished to 
bring a culprit before him, he gave his jack-knife to the constable, 
who carried it to the accused, and required him at the appointed 
time to appear with it before the justice. What it meant he well 
understood. If two were to be summoned at the same time, to 
the second he gave the tobacco-box of the justice, and as that 
usually contained a liberal supply of the delectable narcotic, the 
consequences of a failure to return it in person to the justice, in 
due time, were dangerous in the extreme. The decision of Justice 
Garlock alluded to, terminated so happily for those most 
interested, that I cannot withhold it from the reader. A com- 
plaint having been entered before him, the knife was issued, and 
the parties assembled forthwith. The plaintiff told his story, 
which appeared simple and true. The defendant, with more zeal 
and eloquence, plead his cause — ^quoting, if I mistake not, some 
previous decisions of his honor — and made out, as he thought, an 
equally good case. After giving the parties a patient hearing, 
the justice gave the following very important decision. " Der 
blandif an derfendur bote hash reght ; zo I dezides, an pe dunder, 
der knonshtopple moosh bay de kosht." 



( 79 ) 



CHAPTER III. 



After the removal of Weiser and others from Schoharie, the 
difficulties to which the ignorance and suspicions of the people 
had subjected them, were soon quieted, and they once more be- 
came a happy community. They were careful afterwards to se- 
cure legal titles to their lands, and thereby remove the danger of 
troubles in future, from a cause which had already tended greatly 
to decrease their numbers, and harrass their feelings. 

There were, as I have been informed, several apple trees stand- 
ing on the flats near the present dwelling of John Ingold, at the 
time the Germans arrived, supposed to have been planted by the 
Indians. One of these antiquated trees, at least 140 years old, 
was still standing in 1842, and very fruitful. Other trees of the 
same planting were yet bearing fruit in 1837. The trees from 
which the first apple orchards in Schoharie were derived, were 
procured, as Judge Brown assured me, in the following manner. 
One Campbell and several other individuals went from the Scho- 
harie valley to New York, to be naturalized, a few years after 
the settlement was commenced. Their business accomplished, 
they started for home on board of a sloop ; but not having money 
enough to pay their passage to Albany, they were landed at or 
near Rhinebeck, and traveled from thence on foot. Crossing the 
Rhinebeck flats, each pulled up a bundle of small apple trees in 
the nurseries they passed, from which the first orchards in Scho- 
harie were planted. 

The second season after the murder of his agent Truax, in 
Vrooman's Land, Peter Vrooman returned to that place and es- 
tablished a permanent residence. He planted an apple orchard, 



80 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

which is yet standing, near the dwelhng of Harmanus Vrooman. 
Some of the Swarts, Eckers, Zielleys, Haggidorns, Feeclcs, and 
Beckers, with perhaps some other Dutch families, settled in that 
vicinity about the same time. 

There were few regular mechanics among the first settlers, on 
which account the native genius of ail was more or less taxed. 
We have seen to what inconvenience and labor they were sub- 
jected for the want of mills. The first grist mill in the county 
was erected by Simeon Lara way, on the small stream called Mill 
brook, from that circumstance, which runs into Fox's creek near 
Waterbury's mills. Upon a bridge which crossed this brook. 
Sheriff Adams was left, after having had occular demonstration 
of the prowess of Magdalene Zeh, in the first anti-rent war. Some 
part of the race-way of this mill is still to be seen. Before the 
erection of Simeon's mill, as usually called, several hand mills, 
like the one at Weiser's dorf, were in frequent use. In the course 
of twenty or thirty years after Weiser and his friends left, several 
other mills were established in and about Schoharie. One Cobel 
erected two of those.* One of them was built on a small brook 
in a ravine on the south side of the road, a few rods distant from 
the river bridge, one mile from the Court House. The other mill 
he greeted about the same time on Cobelskill, which took its 
name from that circumstance. It stood near the mouth of the 
kill. It was not until about the near 1760, that bolting cloths 
were used in Schoharie. Henry AVeaver, who owned a mill near 
where Becker's now stands, on Foxes creek, was the first who 
introduced them. 

At almost as late a period as the revolution, the colonists pro- 

* This creek took its name after the paternal name of the mill-wright, as 
Judge Brown assured me. I find the name written Cobels kill in many of the 
old conveyances, and in all the early Session laws, of the state. It is, in 
truth, the correct orthography of the word. In writing Fox's and Cobel's 
kill, I shall in future omit the apostrophe and hyphen, for reasons obvious to 
the reader. 

The Indians called Cobelskill the Ots ga-ra-gee which signified the hemp 
creek. When first setlled by the whites, an abundance of wild hemp grew 
along; its banks. The natives often visited them to procure it, making froni 
it fish uetS; and ropes to aid them in transporting their portable wealth. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 81 

cured most of their shoes at Albany, or East Camp ; and one pair 
was the yearly allowance for each member of the family. They 
were repaired by traveling cobblers. 

Those unaffected Germans were not votaries to fashion, of 
course they were not very particular about receiving their male 
fashions from England, or their female from France. The good 
wife and daughters generally cut and made the rude apparel of 
the family, and thought it no disgrace. The settlers manufactured 
most of their own buttons, and often the same garment had on 
those of very different sizes, of wood, horn, bone or lead. 

Not having been accustomed to luxuries from childhood, they 
were contented with simple fare and uncouth fashions. Their 
clothes, as may be supposed, did not set out a good form to very 
fascinating advantage. Those useless bipeds denominated dan- 
dies, noted for their mustaches, idleness and empty pockets, were 
unknown in the Schoharie valley at that day ; indeed, they are 
strangers there at the present time. Of course, other considera- 
tions than mere dress, or a display of jewelry, could create, influ- 
enced their choice of a partner for life. They had little to be 
proud of, consequently many of the men did not shave oftener 
than once or twice a month. A Dow or a Matthias would hard- 
ly have been distinguished from them, had they appeared at that 
day. Habituating themselves to do men's work, many of the wo- 
men were, from exposure, sun-burnt and coarse featured, and in 
some instances it became necessary for them to clip an exuberant 
growth of beard, which was done with scissors. 

Lawrence Schoolcraft, one of the first settlers in Schoharie, at 
the residence of Peter Vrooman, made the first cider in the coun- 
ty. The manner of making it being unique, was as follows. The 
apples were first pounded in a stamper similar to the Indian corn 
stamper before mentioned. After being thus bruised, the pumice 
was placed in a large Indian basket previously suspended to a 
tree, beneath which was inserted a trough, made by fastening to- 
gether the edges of two planks, which served to catch and carry 
the juice compressed by weights in the basket, into some vessel 
placed for its reception. In the year 1752, one Brown, the father 



82 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

of Judge Brown, removed from West Camp to Schoharie. He 
was then a widower, and soon after his arrival married a widow, 
who possessed ten acres of land and about one hundred and ten 
pounds in cash ; which enabled him to establish and carry on his 
trade successfully. He was a wheel-wright, and the first who 
prosecuted that business in the county. The people had manu- 
factured a kind of rude wagon before his arrival, with which 
they transported light loads to and from Albany, performing the 
journey in about five days. This Brown, in 1753, made the first 
cider-press ever used in the county. The same process which pre- 
pared the pumice for Schoolcraft did for Brown, as he purchased 
the same pounder. The press was first used at Hartman's dorf, 
where he resided. 

John Mattice Junk, or Young in English, the grand-father of 
Judge Brown, on the Mother's side, is said to have taught the 
first German school at the Camps, ever taught in America. This 
was about the year 1740, Schools began to be taught in the 
Schoharie settlements shortly after ; one Spease kept the first, 
and one Keller the next. German teachers were employed in 
the German settlements, while at Vrooman's land a school was 
taught in Dutch. About the year 1760, English instruction was 
introduced into those schools, and in some instances the 
English, German and Dutch languages were all taught by one 
teacher, in the same school. Little attention was then paid to the 
convenience or comfort of the scholars. Barns, in some instances, 
became school-houses as well as churches, in the summer ; and if 
schools were continued in the winter, some rude log dwelling be- 
came a witness to the child's improvement. Stoves, in those days, 
were unknown. The settlers had mammoth fire-places, however, 
and plenty of wood ; and in numberless instances, a fearful pro- 
portion of a cord was seen ignited in the same fire. 

Few horses were shod for many years after the settlement be- 
gan ; and those persons, who required any kind of smith-work 
their own igenuity could not create, were obliged to go to Alba- 
ny or Schenectada to get it done. John Ecker is said to have 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 83 

been the first black-smith in the Schoharie valley, and he was a 
self instructed one. 

The Germans formerly brewed a kind of domestic strong beer, 
and most of those in Schoharie brewed their own. 

From the fact, that the Dutch, who settled in Vrooman's Land, , / 
were more wealthy than their German neighbors located below 
them, a kind of pride or distant formality, was manifested by the 
former towards the latter for many years. When prejudices of 
any kind are allowed to gain a place in the human breast, it often 
requires generations to eradicate them. The prejudices alluded to ■ 
as havinof existed between the Dutch and Germans, tended for 
many years almost wholly to prevent inter-marriages between 
them. The former, therefore, who did not choose to marry cous- 
ins — most of those settlers being related — went to Schenectada or 
Albany for wives. As Cupid is now and then a very mischievous 
boy, there may have been individual instances, in which the irre- 
sistible passion of love, aided by stratagem, trampled paternal 
prejudices under foot, and united the sturdy German and amorous 
Dutch maiden. But we must suppose such cases extremely rare, 
as the law which still requires in some parts of New England, 
the publishing of the bans for several Sabbaths preceding the 
nuptials, was then in force in New York. 

The Germans, when they located at Schoharie, owned no slaves, * 
nor, indeed, did they for several years ; but these accompanied 
the Dutch on their arrival as a part of their gear. By industry, 
and a proper husbanding of what the earth produced, the wealth 
of the former increased rapidly, and it was not long before they, 
too, possessed them. 

The manner in which the slaves of Schoharie were generally 
treated by their masters, is not inaptly described by Mrs. Grant, 
in her Memoirs of Albany. They were allowed freedom of speech, 
and indulged in many things, which other members of the family 
were, whose ages corresponded to their own ; and to a superficial 
spectator, had the color not interfered, they would have seemed on 
an equality. Individual instances may now be cited where blacks 
would be much better off under a good master than they now 



84 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

are, or, indeed, than thousands of the operatives of England are — 
still, no one can from moral principle, although he may from 
motives of expediency, advocate the continuance of the evil as 
just and proper in any country. The existence of slavery in the 
United States, is the greatest stain upon their national escutcheon. 
This I believe to be a fact generally conceded, by all the good and 
virtuous in the land. The question then, which naturally arises, 
is, or rather it should be, what is the best and most proper man- 
ner of obliterating the stain "? Let reason and common sense, not 
fanaticism and malice, reply. 

Many of the tools used in husbandry in former days, were both 
clumsy and uncouth. Rakes used in Schoharie, were made 
with teeth on both sides. Hay forks were made of wood, from a 
stick having a suitable crotch for tines, or by splitting one end of 
a straight stick and inserting a wedge. The improvement made 
in plows since that time, is perhaps as great as that made on any 
one implement of the cultivator. The wagons seen in Schoharie 
before the year 1760, had no tire upon the wheels. 

Grain was then thrashed, as it is at the present day by the de- 
scendants of those people who have no machines for the purpose, 
by the feet of horses. The process is simple, and as it is fast giv- 
ing place to the buzzing of machines, it may be well to relate it 
In the center of the barn floor, which is roomy, an upright bar is 
placed, previously rendered a pivot at each end, to enter a hole in 
the floor below, and a corresponding one in a beam or plank over 
head. Through this shaft, at a suitable height from the floor, a 
pole is passed, to which several horses are fastened so as to travel 
abreast. Sometimes a number are fastened to each end of the 
pole, and in some instances, a second pole is passed through the 
shaft at right angles with the first, to which horses are also at- 
tached. A quantity of sheaves being opened and spread upon 
the floor, the horses are started at a round trot, thus trampling the 
grain from the straw. The upright, when the horses move, turns 
upon its own pivots. Persons in attendance, are constantly em- 
ployed in turning and shaking the straw with a fork, keeping the 
horses in motion, removing any uncleanness, &c. The outside 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 85 

horse travels, as may be supposed, much farther in his circuits 
than the inside one, for which reason they are occasionally shift- 
ed. Grain is broken less if thrashed with unshod horses. Some 
use a roller to aid in the process. This is a heavy, rounded tim- 
ber, worked much smaller at one end than the other, with square 
pins of hard wood inserted at proper distances the whole length. 
The smallest end of this roller is so fastened to the shaft as to pre- 
serve the horizontal motion of one, and the perpendicular motion 
of the other, at the same time. To the heavy end of the roller, 
horses are fastened, drawing it on the same principle, that the 
stone wheel in an ancient bark mill was drawn. In threshing 
with horses, the roller is a great assistance. Fanning-mills, for 
cleaning grain, were unknown in former times, it being separated 
from its chaff by fans, or shoveling it in the wind. 

As I have already stated, much prejudice existed at Schoharie 
in former days, between the Germans and Dutch. These nation- 
al antipathies were manifested in nothing more clearly at first, 
than in matters of religion. The early Germans were, almost 
without exception, disciples to the doctrines of Martin Luther ; 
while the Dutch, collectively, subscribed the Calvinistic, or Dutch 
Reformed creed. Time, however, the great healer of dissensions, 
aided by intelligence, the champion of liberality, by degrees less- 
ened, and has now almost entirely removed those prejudices. 
While they existed, they tended to prevent that friendly inter- 
change of good feeling — that reciprocity of kindness, so necessa- 
ry to the prosperity and . happiness of an isolated people. As 
Judge Brown remarked, at our interview, " the Low Dutch girls 
formerly thought but little of the High Dutch boys," and the 
-young people of both settlements kept separate companies for 
many years. In a few instances, elopement took place, but they 
were rare, as distant ministers were cautious about uniting a cou- 
ple who could not produce a certificate of publication, although 
occular demonstration might convince them of the genuineness of 
their affection, and demand their union. 

Among the first shoemakers who worked at the trade in Scho- 
harie, was one William Dietz. Few, if any, boots were then 

7 



86 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

worn. Men wore low, and women high heeled (called French 
heeled) shoes. A specimen of the latter may now be seen in the 
Cabinet of John Gebhard, jr. Esq., at Schoharie Court House. 
Shoes were then fastened with buckles, which, like those worn at 
the knees, were made of silver, brass or pewter. Caleb Cosput 
and John Russeau were the first tailors. They worked, as did 
the first shoemakers, by whipping the cat — from house to house. 
Breeches and even coats were made of deer-skins, and in some 
instances, of blankets, in their day : the former being fastened to 
striped hose at the knees with huge buckles, of silver, if attain- 
able, if not, of brass or pewter. 

One Delavergne was the first hatter, and is said to have been 
well patronized. Cocked, or three cornered hats were then the 
tip of fashion. 

To see an exquisite of the present, dressed in the costume of 
that day, with hair long-cramped before, and terminating at the 
neck in a braided cue, or if not braided, wound with black rib- 
hon or an eel-skin, the whole head being finely pov/dered and sur- 
mounted with a cocked hat ; with a blanket coat on, of no ordi- 
nary dimensions, ornamented with various kinds of buttons ; 
breeches of deer-skin, too tight for comfort, and kept up without 
braces by a tight band above the hips, allowing the nether gar- 
ment to appear between them and the vest, and fastened at the 
knee with large bright buckles to a pair of striped silk hose ; the 
whole of the fabric described, resting upon a pair of pedestals 
cased in pen-knife pointed shoes clasped with daring buckles ; the 
hero with a pipe in his mouth, the bowl as large as a tea-cup — 
would be worth far more to the spectator, than to visit a menage- 
ry and see half a dozen country girls mounted upon the back of 
an elephant, or a fool-hardy keeper enter a cage with the most 
ferocious animals. 

Fish are said to have been very plenty formerly in most of the 
streams in Schoharie county. For many years after the Revolu- 
tion, trout were numerous in Foxes creek, where now there are 
few, if any at all. From a combination of causes, fish are now 
becoming scarce throughout the county. In many small streams, 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 87 

they have heen nearly or quite exterminated by throwing in lime. 
This cruel system of taking the larger, destroys with more cer- 
tainty all the smaller fish. Such a mode of fishing cannot be too 
severely censured. The accumulation of dams on the larger 
streams, proves unfavorable to their multiplication. Fine pike 
are now occasionally caught in the Schoharie, as are also suckers 
and eels. Some eighty years ago, a mess of fish could have been 
taken, in any mill-stream in the county, in a few minutes. 

Wild animals of almost every kind found in the same climate, 
were numerous in and about Schoharie, for a great length of time 
after the whites arrived. Bears and wolves, the more gregarious 
kinds, often appeared in droves numbering scores, and in some in- 
stances, hundreds ; and were to the pioneer a source of constant 
anxiety and alarm. Deer, which were then very numerous, the 
mountainous parts affording them, as all other animals, a safe re- 
treat, are still killed some winters in considerable numbers, in the 
south part of the county. But few incidents, worthy of notice, 
relating to wild animals, have come to my knowledge. One of 
the first German settlers was killed by a bear, between the resi- 
dence of the late Cyrus Swart (near the stone church,) and the 
hill east of it. He had wounded the animal \vith a gun, when it 
turned upon, and literally tore him in pieces. The Indians hunt- 
ed them for food, and not unfrequently had an encounter with 
them'. Nicholas Warner assured the author, that when a boy, he 
saw an Indian, called Bellows, returning from a hunt, holding in 
his own bowels with his hands. He had, after wounding a large 
bear, met it in personal combat, and although so terribly lacerated 
he slew it. Jacob Becker informed me, that there was an Indian 
about Foxes creek in his younger days, called The-bear-caicher, 
who received his name from the following circumstance. He was 
hunting — treed a large bear and fired upon it. The beast fell and 
a personal rencounter ensued. The Indian, in the contest, seized 
with an iron grasp the lower jaw of Bruin, and a back-hug was 
the consequence. He succeeded in holding his adversary so firm- 
ly that the latter could not draw his paws between their bodies. 
Bruin had, however, in the outset, succeeded in drawing one of 



88 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

them obliquely across the breast of the red man, scarifying it in 
a fearful manner. While thus situated, holding his adversary at 
bay, he called to a son, who was hunting in the woods not far off, 
for his assistance. The latter repaired hastily to the spot, and al- 
though he might at times have approved of a fair fight, in the 
present instance paternal affection demanded his immediate inter- 
ference. Placing the muzzle of his rifle between the extended 
jaws of the bear, he discharged it, to the great relief of his father, 
who had been so affectionately embraced. The followingadven- 
ture was related by Andrew Loucks. One Warner, who was 
among the first settlers at Punch- kill, went out towards evening 
to seek his cows. He met in his path a large bear, having cubs, 
which instantly pursued him. He ran for safety behind a large 
tree ; round which himself and madam Bruin played bo-peep for 
some time — neither gaining any advantage. At length Warner 
seized a hemlock knot, and with it, Sampson like, slew his shaggy 
pursuer. The following story was also told me by Jacob Becker, 
the scene in which is said to have been enacted near Foxes creek. 
John ShaefFer and George Schell went hunting. Shaeffer had a 
dog which treed a bear, and he being near at the time, instantly 
fired upon it. Bruin fell, though not passively to yield life. The 
dog attacked him, but was so lovingly hugged, that his eyes 
seemed starting from their sockets, and he cried piteously. Shaef- 
fer thought too much of his canine friend to see him fall a 'vic- 
tim to such affection, and endeavored to loosen one of the bear's 
paws : but as he seized it, it was relaxed and quicker than thought 
thrown round again, so as to include in the embrace his own arm. 
ShaefFer might as easily have withdrawn his hand from a vise. 
When he found he had caught a tartar, or, rather, that the bear 
had, he hallooed like a loon for his companion to come to his as- 
sistance and reach him his tomahawk. Many of the white hunt- 
ers, in former times, were as careful to wear tomahawks as their 
Indian neighbors. The missile was handed very cautiously at 
arms' length, and ShaefFer buried the blade of it in the brains of 
his game, to the relief of his other arm and the resuscitation of 
the dog. Bruin, as may be supposed, did not rehsh the interfer- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 89 

ence of the master, when he was evincing so much of the world's 
genuine love for Carlo. 

The three most prominent hills east of Middleburgh village, 
are] called the Fire-berg, the Amos-berg, and the Clipper-berg. 
The first named is the most southern, and took its name (as Geo. 
Warner informed the author) from the following circumstance. 
A tar barrel having been raised to the top of a tall tree on that 
hill, it was, at a particular hour of a certain night, set on fire, to 
ascertain if the light could be seen from the residence of Sir 
William Johnson, in Johnstown, at whose instigation it was done. 
Whether it was seen there or not, tradition does not inform us, 
but the eircumstance was sufficient to originate a name for the 
hill. Amos-berg, the nexi one north, signifies the ant-hill, or 
hill of ants ; it having been, in former times, literally covered 
with those insect mounds. Clipper-berg, directly north of Amos- 
berg, signifies the rocky-hill, or hill scantily covered with vegeta- 
tion. 

The following story was related to me by Maria Teabout. She 
with several other individuals, was on the Fire-berg before the 
revolution, when a loud scream like that of a child was heard 
some distance off, to which she made answer by a similar one. 
She was told by the men to keep still, that it was a painter, and 
by answering it they would be in great danger. " A painter !" 
she exclaimed, "what then is a painter?" Being young and 
heedless, she continued to answer its cries, until her companions, 
alarmed for their own safety, had taken to flight, and she found 
herself alone. As she was part native she felt little fear, until 
the neai' approach of the animal struck terror upon her mind. 
She had not time enough left her to secure a safe retreat, but in- 
stantly concealed herself in a hollow tree. The animal approach- 
ed so near that she saw it from her concealment, but as that did 
not see her, it went back in the direction from whence it came. 
In the meantime, those who had fled on the panther's approach, 
went home and reported Maria as slain in an awful manner. A 
party, consisting of Col. Zielie, with half a dozen of his neighbors, 
and a few Indians, all mounted on horseback and armed with 



90 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

guns, set out to seek and bring whatever of Maria might be left, 
after the panther had satiated his appetite. Leaving their horses 
near the entrance, they went into the woods and 'L^egan to call 
to her. She heard the voice of Col. Zielie, and came out from her 
hiding place. The Indians then declared they would soon have 
the panther. After fixing a blanket on a tree so as to present a 
tolerable effigy of one of their party, they all fell back and con- 
cealed themselves behind trees. An Indian then began to call, 
and was soon answered by the animal, which approached stealth- 
ily. "When it carne in sight, it fixed its eye on the effigy, and 
crawling along with the stillness of a cat, it approached within a 
few paces, from whence, after moving its tail briskly for a few 
seconds, it bounded upon it with the speed of an arrow. In an 
instant the blanket was torn into strings, and as the disappointed 
animal stood lashing its sides furiously with its tail, looking for 
the cause of the voice, (panthers having no knowledge or belief 
in ghosts) and its deception, a volley of rifle balls laid it dead on 
the spot. The skin was taken off, and some slices of the critter, 
as Natty Bumpo would call it, were taken home by several of the 
Indians to broil. Thus ended the panther, and thus did not end 
my informant. Few panthers have been killed in the county 
since the remembrance of any one living in it. One of the last 
was shot near the residence of John Enders, on Foxes creek. 

The sagacious beaver was a resident of this county on the ar- 
rival of the Germans. They were numerous along Foxes creek, 
and at a place called the Beaver-dam, on that stream, which is 
now in the town of Berne, Albany county, they had several strong 
dams. 

Wild-cats were numerous in Schoharie formerly. The follow- 
ing anecdote is related of old Doctor Moulter, a sort of physician 
who lived on Foxes creek, and flourished about the time of the 
Revolution. He awoke one night from pleasant dreams, to hear 
an unusual noise among his setting geese. Without waiting to 
dress, or seize upon any weapon, he ran out to learn the cause of 
alarm. On arriving at the scene of action, although his prospect 
was yet sombre, he discovered the cause of disturbance in the ap- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 91 

pearance of an unwelcome animal, that was paying its devoirs to 
the comely neck of the mistress of a polluted bee-hive. He ran 
up and seized it by the neck and hind legs, and although it strug- 
gled hard to regain its liberty, he succeeded in holding it until his 
boys, to whom he called for assistance, came and killed it. The 
reader may judge his surprize as well as that of his family, when, 
on taking it to the light, it proved to be a good sized wild-cat. 
Had he caught hold of it otherwise than he did, it is highly pro- 
bable that in his state of almost native nudity, he would have re- 
pented his grasp, if not lost his life. Many anecdotes are told of 
this same Dr. Moulter. When he located at Schoharie, he was 
afraid to ride on horseback, unless some one led his horse by the 
bridle. Those who led his nag for him, grew tired of gratifying 
his whims, and would occasionally let go his reins, and leave 
him to shift for himself. This kind of treatment soon taught the 
old Doctor the skill of horsemanship. He is said to have doc- 
tored for witches, and promulged the superstitious doctrine of 
witchcraft. Nor was he wanting in believers, as no dogmas, 
however doggish they may be, need much preaching to gain prose- 
lytes. 

Francis Otto, who is said to have established the first distillery 
in the county, (which was for cider-brandy, and stood perhaps 
half a mile east of the present site of the Court House) was also 
a kind of doctor. In fact, he was one of that useful class, who 
can turn their hand to almost anything ; being a brandy-maker, 
a doctor, a phlebotomist, a barber, a fortune-teller, etc., as occa- 
sion required. He too, believed in witchcraft. His death took 
place just before the Revolution, in the following manner. He 
had spent the evening at the house of Ingold, where now stands 
the dwelling of John Ingold ; and left there to go home, with the 
bosom of his shirt, his general traveling store-house, filled with 
apples. He may, to have kept off the chill of the evening, and 
increase his courage, tasted a potation of his own distilling, of 
which he was very fond. On the following morning he was 
found in a bruised state, having fallen off the rocks not far from 
his own dwelling. He was alive when found, but died soon af- 



92 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ter. As he was much afraid of witches, and the like evil genii, 
it was confidently asserted and generally believed, that witches 
had thrown him off the rocks. Thus ended the first distiller, poor 
Otto, of bewitching memory. 

Deer, it has been remarked, were numerous in and about Scho- 
harie formerly. Jacob Becker related the following story, which 
he had learned from his father. An old Indian, who lived in Gar- 
lock's dorf, was very skillful in the use of the bow and arrow. 
This Indian stationed himself one day, at a run-way the deer had 
on the north side of Foxes creek, not a great distance from Beck- 
er's mill. It was at a place where there is a small stream of wa- 
ter descends from the hill, affording a kind of path from that to 
the flats below. At this place this Indian was concealed, when 
a noble deer came leisurely down the declivity. An arrow from 
his bow pierced the heart of the unsuspecting victim, when it 
bounded forward a few paces and fell dead. Scarcely had he 
time to draw from his quiver an arrow, before another deer de- 
scended. A second arrow sped, and a second bleeding victim lay 
stretched near its fellow. Another and another descended to 
meet a similar fate , until six were, in quick succession, bleeding 
upon the ground. There were times, when, like the one named, 
the arrow was as trusty as the rifle ball. The distance must not 
be great, however, and the bow must be drawn by a skillful war- 
rior. The arrow giving no report to alarm the following deer, 
the Indian was enabled, by his masterly skill, to bring down six? 
when a single discharge from a rifle, woukl have sent the five 
hindmost deer, on the back track. The arrow, however, would 
not tell upon a distant object like the rifle ball, and great muscu- 
lar strength was required to send it, even at a short distance, to 
the heart of a bounding buck. 

Rattle-snakes were very numerous formerly, along the north 
side of Foxes creek, and the west side of the Schoharie. Hun- 
dreds were often killed in a single day at either place. Neigh- 
borhoods turned out in the spring about the time they came from 
their dens, in the latter part of April, or early part of May, to 
destroy them, and by thus waging war against them, they were 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 93 

nearly exterminated. There are a few remaining now at both 
places. It was not uncommon, in raising a sheaf of wheat from 
the ground, on the flats near the hills, which afford their favorite 
haunts, as early as the revolution, to find one or more of those 
venomous serpents under it. They were but little dreaded then, 
especially by the Indians, for if they could get at the wound with 
their mouth, suction, with their other applications, generally saved 
the bitten. The Indians, said Andrew Loucks, rubbed their legs 
vyith certain roots, to avoid being bitten by rattle-snakes, and made 
use of several kinds of roots and plants, in effecting a cure for 
the bite of those reptiles. The knowledge they had of botany, 
although limited, was of a practical nature, and enabled them not 
unfrequently to effect a cure, when a similar application of a sci- 
entific mineral compound, would have destroyed. This country, 
undoubtedly, affords an herb for almost every disease of the climate, 
and more attention should be paid to the study and medical appli- 
cation of Botany. Rattle-snakes diminish rapidly in numbers, if 
hogs are allowed to run where they infest. They will eat them 
invariably, with the exception of the head, whenever they take 
them. There are individuals, in fact, who eat those venomous 
reptiles, and pronounce them palatable. The late Major Van 
Vechten, of Schoharie, formerly ate them, and at times invited his 
friends to the banquet. On one occasion, he had several young 
gentlemen to partake wdth him, who, as I suppose, were either 
ambitious to be able to say they had eaten of a " sarpent," or de- 
sired to rattle a little as they went through the world. Did they 
taste exceedingly flavorous, one would suppose the idea of eating 
a rattle-snake would sicken the eater, save in extreme cases of 
approaching starvation. 

The following Indian custom was humorously told the author 
by George Warner. When Cupid has destroyed the red man's 
peace of mind, he provides himself with a quantity of corn, and 
seeks the presence of the ruddy squaw. He then commences 
snapping kernels at the coy maid he wishes to woo. If she 
snaps them back, the contract is considered firmly made. If she 
does not, the lover is led to conclude she " don't take," and leaves 



94 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

her presence somewhat mortified. If matters proceed favorably 
and a contract is made, she takes off one garter, and after the 
marriage ceremony is performed, he probably takes off the other 
—if, by the b}', she has ever had any on. 

The SchohEiie Indians, says Brown, claimed the lands lying 
about Schoharie, and made some sales, but were interrupted in 
those transfers of lands by the Mohawks, who proved that the 
land given to Karighondontee's wife, at the time her husband set- 
tled, was to be no more than would be required to plant as much 
corn as a squaw could hold in her petticoat; which, he adds, 
would be reckoned about a skipple. A squaw's petticoat 
neither has great length or breadth ; but the reader will 
understand that the grain was carried in the garment in the man- 
ner of a sack. 

But a few years after the Schoharie Germans had their diffi- 
culties with Bayard, the royal agent, and Sheriff Adams, they be- 
gan to secure land not only of the seven partners, but also of the 
natives, and made transfers among themselves. 

A bond in the writer's possession, given for what is unknown, 
by " John Andrews of Scorre, [Schoharie] to John Lawer [Law- 
yer,] for twenty-six pounds three shillings, corrant money of New 
York. Dated the 3d day of May, in the fifth year of our Sove- 
raign Lord George [L] king of Great Britain, France and Ire- 
land, and in the year of our Lord God, 1720; shows the earliest 
date of any paper I have met with, that was executed between 
the early settlers in the Schoharie valley. This date is within 
ten years of their first arrival. The bond is written in a fair, 
legible hand, and most of the orthography is correct. 

In the early conveyances, lands in the vicinity of the Schoharie 
Court House, were located at " Fountain's town, Fountain's flats, 
and Brunen or Bruna dorf." Some of the old deeds bound those 
lands on the " west, by the Schoharie river, and on the east, on 
the king's road." The road then ran near the hill east of the 
old Lutheran parsonage house, which is still standing ; leaving 
nearly all the flats west of it. In ancient patents, the brook 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 95 

above Middleburgh village is called the Little Schoharie ; vphich 
name I have chosen to continue. 

Many of the Indian sales of lands in Schoharie county, were 
legalized by the governor and council of the colony. The fol- 
lowing paper, which is copied verbatim et literatim, will shovy 
the usual form of a royal 'permit : 

" By His Excellency the Hon. George Clinton, Cap- 

ta!in-General and Governor in Chief of the colony of New 

L. S. York, and Territories thereon depending in America, 

Vice Admiral of the same and Admiral of the White 

Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet. 

"To all to whom these presents shall come or may concern, 

Greeting : — 

" Whereas Johannes Becker, jr., Johannes Schafer, jr., Hendrick 
Schafer, jr., and Jacobus Schafer, by their humble petition pre- 
sented unto me and read in Council this Day, have prayed my license 
to purchase in his Majesty's name, of the native Indian proprietors 
thereof, six thousand Acres of some vacant Lands, Situate, Lying 
and being in the County of Albany, on the North side of the Co- 
belskill, and on the East of the Patent lately granted to Jacob 
Borst, Jacob C. Teneyck and others near Schoharie : in order to 
obtain His Majesty's Letters Patent for ^e. same or a proportionate 
quantity thereof I have therefore thought fit to give and grant, 
and I do by and with the Advice of his Majesty's Council, hereby 
^iye and grant unto the said Petitioners, full Power, Leave and 
iycense to purchase in his Majesty's Name of the Native Indian 
Proprietors thereof, the Quantity of Six thousand Acres of the 
vacant Lands aforesaid. Provided the said purchase be made in 
one year next after the Date hereof, and conformable to a report 
of a Committee of His majesty's Council of the second day of De- 
cember, 1736, on the Memorial of Cadwallader Colden, Esq., 
representing several Inconveniences arising by the usual Method 
of purchasing Lands from the Indians. And for so doing this 
shall be to them a sufficient Iycense. 

" Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms, at Fort 
George, in the City of New York, the sixteenth Day of 
November, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-two. 

" By his Excellency's command, G. CLINTON." 

" Geo. Banyar, B, Sec\j." 

A conveyance made in December, 1752, of fifteen thousand 
acres of land in " New Dorlach," now in the town of Seward — 
bounds it on " West creek" — west branch of the Cobelskill be- 
ginning at a bank called in an Indian conveyance, " Onc-en-ta" 



96 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

dashe." This I suppose to have been the Indian name of the 
mountain south of Hyndsville. When the county of Tryon was 
organized, it took in "New Dorlach," which was embraced in 
Otsego county on its organization ; and subsequently became a 
part of Schoharie county. 

The parties to an indenture, made November 30th, 1753, were 
Johannes SchefFer, Christ Jan Zehe, Johannes Lawyer, Michael 
Borst, Johannes Borst, Johan Jost Borst, Michael Hilkinger, 
William Baird, Jacob Borst, Michael Bowman, Johannes Brown, 
Barent Keyser, Peter Nicholas Sommer, Johannes Lawyer Ser, 
Hendrick Heens, and Wilham Brown." It was a purchase of 
fifteen thousand acres of land on the north side of the " Ostgarrege 
or Cobelskill, about seven miles westerly from Schoharre." 

The author has in his possession, a parchment copy of letters 
patent, dated March 19, 1754. It was granted in the reign of 
George IL, under the administration of George Clinton as gover- 
nor, and James De Lancey lieutenant-governor, to John Frederick 
Bauch, [now written Bouck,] Christian Zehe, Johannes Zehe, 
Michael Wanner, [Warmer,] and Johannes Knisker, [Kneiskern,] 
" For a certain Track of Land lately purchased by them of the 
Native Indian proprietors thereof, situate, lying and being in the 
county of Albany, to the westward of Schoharry, and on the 
south side of a creek or brook, called by the Indians Ots-ga-ra- 
gee, and by the inhabitants Cobelskill, containing about /o?<r thoU' 
sand eight hundred Acres, and further bounded and described as 
by the Indian purchase thereof, bearing date the Ninth day of 
November last, might appear." The Patent grants among 
other things. Fishings, Fowlings, Hunting and Hawking; re- 
serving at the same time Gold and Silver mines, and "All 
trees of the Diameter of Twenty-four Inches and upwards at 
twelve Inches from the ground, for Masts for our Royal Navy. 
And also all such other trees as may be fit to make planks, knees, 
and other things necessary for the use of our said Navy :" with 
the privilege of going on and cutting the timber thus reserved, at 
any time or in any manner. The following singular sentence 
appears in the patent. The purchasers, after being individually 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 97 

named, were, with their heirs and assigns forever, " To be holden 
of us, our heirs and successors in fee and common socage, as of 
our Mannor of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, within our 
Kingdom of Great Britain, yielding, rendering and paying there- 
for yearly, and every year forever, unto us our heirs and succes- 
sors, at our Custom House in Our City of New York, unto our 
Collector or Receiver General there for the time being, on the 
feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mary, commonly called 
Lady day, the yearly Rent of two shillings and six pence for each 
and every hundred acres of the above granted Lands, and so in 
proportion for any lesser quantity thereof." Within three years 
after the date of the patent, the purchasers whose interest was 
equal, were required " to settle and effectually cultivate at least 
three Acres of every fifty Acres, of the land capable of cultiva- 
tion," The conveyance was to be invalidated by the wanton 
burning of the growing timber. 

About the year 1760, says Brown, the Mohawks began to sell 
large tracts of land around Schoharie, through Sir William John- 
son, who was a royal agent of Indian affairs for the six nations 
of New York, and liberally paid by the British Government. 
These conveyances to be legal, he adds, were required to be made 
in his presence, he usually taking good care to secure a valuable 
interest to himself. 

Land was considered of little value among the pioneer settlers 
of New York, and large tracts were often disposed of for an in- 
considerable sum. The following certificate, found among the 
papers of the late Philip Schuyler of Schoharie, will serve to 
show from its vague limits, the value set by the owner on a large 
tract of now valuable land. 

" I do hereby certify to have sold to Messrs. Philip Schuyler and 
Abraham Becker, and their associates, the Flats of the Cook 
House with an equal quantity of upland near the path going to 
Ogwage [Oquago.l — And I hereby permit them to take up or mark 
off any quantity of land they may farther think proper, on the 
west side the said Cook House branch, granted to me, the sub- 
scriber, by the Governor and Council of this province of New York. 

Albany, 19th June, 1773. 

TH. BRADSTREET." 



98 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Attached to this certificate is an affidavit made by George 
Mann in 1818, before Peter Swart, a Judge of the court of com- 
mon pleas for Schoharie county, which states that in the month 
of June, 1773, being then at the Indian village of " Orgquago," 
he saw " Philip Schuyler pay to the Chiefs of the Indian tribe of 
the same name, in behalf of John Bradstreet, the sum of one hun- 
dred dollars, which he understood to be money received by them 
in consideration of a deed for a certain tract of land given by the 
said Chiefs to the said Bradstreet, and which land was situated on 
the west branch of the Delaware river, commonly called the Koke- 
house branch.* He adds that Alexander Campbell, John H. 
Becker and David Becker, were also present at the time. 

I have before remarked that the Schoharie people owned slaves. 
Many of them were either purchased in the New England states, 
or of New England men, A certificate of the sale of a black 
girl about thirteen years of age, given on the 7th day of July, 
1762, by " John McClister of Connecticut, to Jacob Lawyer of 
Schohary," for the sum of sixty pounds, [$150,] New York cur- 
rency, will probably show the average value of female slaves at 
that day. At a later period, able bodied male slaves often sold 
as high as $250. When slaves were purchased out of the Colo- 
ny, a duty was required to be paid on them, as the following cer- 
tificate of the Mayor of Albany will show. 

" Theas are to Certify, y* Nine negro men and women has been 
Imported Into y" County of Albany from New England, and ac- 
cording to an Act of y" Governor, y'' Council, and the generall As- 
sembly; William Day has paid y" Duty for said negro men and 
women : witness my hand this twentieth Dav of Aug'. 1762. 

VOLKERT P<' DOUW, Mayor." 

Five of the above mentioned slaves were sold at Schoharie. 

While New York was a British province, public roads were 
called " The King's Highways," and were kept in repair by a 
tax levied by officers under the crown. Individuals were not 
compelled at that period to fence in their lands along the high- 
ways, but where the line fence between neighbors crossed them, 

* Koke is the Dutch of cook— to prepare to eat 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. $9 

they placed gates. This was a source of constant vexation to 
the traveler, who often complained that more obstructions of the 
kind were stretched across the road, than necessity required. Ac- 
cordingly, to remedy the evil, a legislative act was passed, by 
which those obstructions could only be placed across the King's 
road by a legal permit ; signed by several of his Majesty's Jus- 
tices of the peace. The traveler was annoyed by gates across the 
highway in thickly settled communities in the Mohawk and Scho- 
harie valleys, for many years after the American revolution. 

John Lawyer, named in the bond of 1720, and the father of 
one of the first white children born in Schoharie, was one of the 
principal settlers at Bruna dorf: and was the first merchant 
among those Germans — trading near the present residence of An- 
drew Beller, half a mile south of the Court House. He is said 
to have been a flax-hatcheler in Germany : and we must suppose, 
from the state of his finances on his arrival in the Schoharie val- 
ley, that he commenced a very limited business. The natives 
were among his most profitable customers j as he bartered blank- 
ets, Indian trinkets, calicoes, ammunition, rum, &c., with them, for 
valuable furs, dressed deer-skins, and other commodities of the times. 
He was one of the best informed among the Germans who settled 
the county ; and before his death became an extensive land-hold- 
er. He was quite a business man and a useful citizen, aiding ma- 
nf who purchased land in making their payments ; and acquired 
the reputation of a fair and honorable dealer. 

He became a widower when about eighty years old, and mar- 
ried a widow in New York city. Arriving at Albany he sent 
word to have one of his sons come after him : but they were so 
offended to think he should marry at that age, that neither 
of them would go. One Dominick took the happy couple to 
Schoharie ; where, we take it for granted, they spent the honey- 
moon. It has been stated that Lawyer had several children by 
this late marriage. Judge Brown assured the author he had 
indeed, but that they were many years old when he married their 
mother. A well executed family portrait of this father of the 



100 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Lawyers, in the fashion of that day, is now to be seen at the 
dwelling of the late Wm. G. Michaels, near the Court House. 
It was painted in New York, and tells credibly for the state of 
the fine arts at that period. 

A second John Lawyer, who usually wrote his given name 
Johannes (the German of John), a son of the one mentioned 
above, succeeded his father in the mercantile business. He be- 
came a good surveyor, and surveyed much land in and around 
Schoharie county. He was also an extensive land-holder, own- 
ing at least twenty-five thousand acres of land, and his name 
appears in very many conveyances made in that county before 
the year 1760. 

I have before me a copy of the will of this man, which was 
dated March 10th, 1760 : by which it appears he was then a 
merchant. He had three sons snd two daughters, and his will 
so disposed of his large estate, as to be equally distributed on the 
death of his widow, to the surviving children and the lawful heirs 
of the deceased ones. 

• Few parents at the present day in Schoharie county, imitate 
the commendable example of this wealthy man, and divide their 
property equally between sons and daughters. The latter, who 
are by nature the most helpless, are frequently unprovided for, 
and while a son or sons are enjoying the rich inheritance of a 
" wise father," a worthy daughter is sometimes compelled, on the 
death of her parents, either to marry against her own good sense 
and inclination, a man unworthy of her ; or feel herself really 
dependant on the charity of those from whom she should not be 
compelled to ask it. 

Johannes Lawyer was succeeded by a son, his namesake, in the 
mercantile business. He was also a surveyor, and transacted no 
little business. Lawrence Lawyer, one of his sons, who was still 
living in Cobelskill in 1837, informed me that some person in 
New York presented his father with a small cannon while in 
that city purchasing goods, a short time previous to the French 
war : and that during that war, whenever the Schoharie Indians, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 101 

who were engaged with the Mohawks under General, afterwards 
Sir Wm. Johnson, returned home with the scalps of ten or fifteen 
of the enemy, this cannon was fired for joy. Thus we perceive 
that the very cruel Indian custom of scalping, condemned in the 
savages during the Revolution about twenty years after, the 
whites had approved in the French war, and demonstrated that 
approval by the discharge of cannon. Can we blame the un- 
lettered savage for continuing a custom his fathers — indeed we 
ourselves have taught him to think fair and honorable, by our 
own public approval and celebration ? Ought we not rather to 
pity the degraded, injured Indian ; and amid blushes, censure 
ourselves for encouraging his love of cruelty instead of tender 
mercy ? 

I learned from this old patriot, who was one of the early set- 
tlers of Cobelskill, the origin of the name Punch-kill. His grand- 
father took a patent of lands adjoining this stream : and on 
running out the lines in making a survey, 'punch was made and 
freely drank on the premises, on which account the brook was 
called Punch-kill, and has been so called ever since. This kill is 
in the northeast part of the town, and falls into the stream of that 
name. 

John I. Lawyer, who was a nephew of the second Schoharie 
merchant, was learned out, according to a phrase of the times, 
having received a share of his education in Boston, and proved a 
very correct surveyor. He was rather eccentric, and perhaps 
was not in all respects as happily married, as it is the good for- 
tune of some men to be. An anecdote related of him which 
tends to show his character, is as follows ; He had been accus- 
tomed for a long time to occupy a high chair at the table while 
eating. A grandson of his coming home after a long absence, 
who was a great favorite with his grandmother, she insisted on 
his having the high chair at the festive board. The old gentle- 
man put up with the treatment for a few days, but at length 
growing impatient at such improper favoritism, he entered his 
dwelUng as the table was setting, with a saw, and before any one 
8 



102 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

could stay proceedings, he raised the table and sawed off its legs. 
" JTow,'' said he to his wife, " your favoj'ite can have the high 
chair. The old lady cast her eyes on the sorry picture which the 
dishes in fragments on the floor presented, and began to storm — 
but it was of no use — the husband kept his temper. His voice 
was notybr war. He went directly and procured a new set of 
dishes, and ever after he had no difficulty in occupying such a 
seat at his own table as he chose. 

It was formerly customary, not only in Schoharie, but in almost 
every county in the state, to provide refreshments at funerals. 
Indeed, within twenty years, the custom of providing liquor on 
such occasions has been in vogue, and the bearers and friends of 
the deceased were expected to return to the house of mourning 
after the burial, and drink. Neither was it at all uncommon for 
people in those days to go home from a funeral drunk : but the 
barbarous and unfeeling custom of passing the intoxicating bowl 
on such occasions, has yielded to a better spirit. It is said that 
John Lawyer, the second one mentioned in this chapter, kept a 
barrel of wine for several years before his death to be drank at 
his funeral ; that it was carried out on that occasion in pails, 
freely drank, and many were drunk of it. Cakes were carried 
round at such times in large baskets, and in some instances a fu- 
neral appeared more like a festival than the solemn sepulture of 
the dead. The old people give a reason somewhat plausible for 
the introduction of such a custom in this county. Its inhabitants 
were sparsedly settled over a large territory, and many had to go 
a great distance to attend funerals, — and as all could not be ex- 
pected to eat a regular meal from home, those extra provisions 
were made for friends present from remote sections. A custom of 
that kind once introduced, even if at the time justifiable, it is easy 
to perceive might be continued in after years, until it became ob- 
noxious to sympathy and highly reprehensible. 

The following is the copy of a receipt, evidently in the hand 
writing of the second mentioned John Lawyer, his name being 
written as the contraction of Johannes. It w^as doubtless given 
as it purports, for liquor drank at a funeral. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 103 

" Scoherie, March 29, 1738. 
" Then Received of John Schuyler the sum of Twenty Shilings 
for the five galing [gallons] of Rum at the Bearing [burying] of 
Maria Bratt. Reed by me. JOHS. LAWYER." 

The Schoharie Indians had but few serious difficulties with the 
early white settlers. Judge Brown mentions in his pamphlet 
that a squaw once shot a man on the sabbath, while returning 
from Church. The Indians often had personal broils among 
themselves, and generally settled them in their own savage way. 
Brown also states that in his time he saw one William, a son of 
Jan, stab and kill another Indian at the house of David Becker, 
in Weiser's dorf. An eye-witness of the act informed the author, 
that the Indian killed was called John Coy. David Becker then 
kept a public house, which stood on the present site of the par- 
sonage house belonging to the brick church in JMiddleburgh. 
John had a child in his arms in the bar-room, and was asked by 
William, another Indian, to drink with him. The former de- 
cHned drinking, and walked out of the room upon a piazza in 
front of the house. AVilliam soon after followed him out and bu- 
ried the blade of a long knife in his back — which he did not at- 
tempt to draw out — and departed. John died almost instantly. 
The cause of this assassination informant did not know : it is 
doubtless to be attributed to the red man's curse — alcohol. 

Mrs. Van Slyck related the following traditionary story, which 
serves to illustrate the Indian character. At a house which stood 
on the farm now owned by Henry Vrooman, and contiguous to 
Wilder Hook, about the year 1750, one Indian stabbed another 
on the threshold of the door to the entrance into the upper part 
of it. The deed was committed in the evening, and was the re- 
sult of a former quarrel. The tribe took little notice of the act, 
but when the corpse of the murdered man was about to be low- 
ered into the grave, the father of the murderer required his son to 
get into it to dig one end deeper. He did so, and while standing 
there, the father sunk a tomahawk into his brains. He was laid 
down in the narrow house with his implements of war beside hioi 
— the other victim placed upon the body of his murderer, and both 



104 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

buried together. Thus bodies which in hfe were rendered so 
hateful to each other by the savage spirits which controlled them, 
mingled into one common earth after death, by the fiendish act of 
a father ; who, by endeavoring to punish the believed wrong of a 
son, became himself the most guilty of the two. However un- 
natural an act like this may seem, it was by no means uncommon 
among the unlettered sons of the forest. The father often assumed 
the responsibility of punishing the son, and the son the father, for 
misdemeanors which might have a tendency to disgrace the 
avenger, even to the taking of life. 

The following anecdote will show another peculiarity of the 
Indian character. One of the Schoharie Chiefs, named Lewis, is 
said to have gone to battle — probably in the French war, — scalped 
a squaw, taken her home as his prisoner, and afterwards made her 
his wife and the mother of his children. 

The Indians were in the annual habit, to considerable extent, 
of taking up a temporary residence near corn fields — when the 
corn became eatable,— proving unprofitable neighbors to the 
whites. 



( 105 ) 



CHAPTER IV. 



It has been the intention of the writer, as expressed in the pre- 
face, not to confine this work to the limits of Schoharie county, 
but to garner up as much unpublished historic matter as possible. 
Tradition has preserved but few of the personal adventures origi- 
nated in the French war. The facts contained in the following 
sketch were narrated to the author in 1841, by John L. Groat. 

In the year 1716, Philip Groat, of Rotterdam, made a purchase 
of land in the present town of Amsterdam. When removing to 
the latter place. Groat was drowned in the Mohawk near Sche- 
nectada, by breaking through the ice. He was in a sleigh accom- 
panied by a woman, who was also drowned. His widow and 
three sons, Simon, Jacob and Lewis, the last named being then 
only four years old, with several domestics, made the intended 
settlement. In 1730, the Groat brothers erected a grist-mill at 
their place, (now Crane's village,) thirteen miles west of Sche- 
nectada — the first ever erected on the north side of the Mohawk. 
This mill, when first erected, floured wheat for citizens who dwelt 
upon the German flats, some fifty miles distant. The first bolt- 
ing cloth in this mill, was put in by John Burns, a German, in 
1772. 

When hostilities commenced between England and France, in 
the war alluded to, Lewis Groat was living at the homestead. 
He was a widower at the time with five children ; and owning a 
farm and grist-mill, he was comparatively wealthy. In the af- 
ternoon of a summer's day in 1755, two hundred Highland troops, 
clad in rich tartans, passed up the valley on their way to Fort 
Johnson, six miles above — then the residence of Gen. William 



106 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Johnson. Groat, observing the swing gate across the road had 
been left open by the troops, went, after sun down, to shut it. 
When returning home, it began to rain, and for temporary shelter 
he stepped under a large oak tree : while there, three Indians, a 
father and sons, approached him. He took them to be Mohawks, 
and extending his hand to the oldest, addressed him in a friendly 
manner. The hand was received and firmly held by the Indian, 
who claimed Groat as his prisoner. Finding they were in earn- 
est, and seeing them all armed with rifles, he surrendered himself. 
The captors belonged to the Owenagunga* or River tribe of In- 
dians, whither they directed their steps. The object of their ex- 
pedition, which was to capture several negroes, they soon disclosed 
to the prisoner, who told them if they would let him go across 
the river to Philips', he would send them some. " Yes," said the 
old Indian, holding his thumb and finger together so as to show 
the size of a bullet, " you send Indian leetle round negar, he no 
like such." 

They had proceeded but a few miles, when a pack was placed 
upon the back of the captive, after which he walked much slow- 
er than before. The old Indian threatened to kill him if he did 
not increase his speed. " What can you get for a scalp?" asked 
Groat. " Ten livres" was the reply. " JInd how much for a 
prisoner 2" he again asked. " Two hundred livres" replied the 
Indian. " Well" said Groat, "*/" ten livres are better than tvx) 
hundred, kill me and take my scalp !" The Indian then told the 
prisoner that he would carry his own pack and the one apportioned 
him, if the latter would but keep up wuth the party. The propo- 
sition was acceded to, and they moved forward — the old Indian 
with two packs on. He took a dog trot and Groat kept near him. 
The feet of the savage often had not left the ground, when those 
of his captive claimed occupancy of it. The warrior exerted all 
his strength to outrun his prisoner, who kept constantly " bruising 
his heel :" until the former, exhausted and covered with perspira- 

* The Owenagungas settled above Mbany, on a branch of Hudson's river, 
that runs towards Canada, about the year l672.—Colden's History of ths 
Five Nations, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 107 

tion, fell upon the ground. They had run about a mile and were 
both greatly fatigued, but Groat had triumphed. 

When the Indian had recovered from his exhaustion, he told 
Groat if he would carry one of the packs, he might travel as he 
pleased. After this adventure he was kindly treated, and often on 
the way did his captors give him plenty of food and go hungry 
themselves, saying that they were Indians and could endure hun- 
ger better than himself, because accustomed to it. Nights, his 
feet were tied to temporary stocks made by bending down stad- 
dles, but always secured so high that he could not reach the cord 
as he lay upon the ground. After journeying a day or two, the 
prisoner resolved on attempting his escape. One evening when 
unbound, he hoped to give his captors the slip, but suspecting his 
motives they cocked their rifles, and not being able to gain even tem- 
porary covert of a large tree, he abandoned the hazardous project. 

Near Fort Edward, the party fell in with two Mohawk Indians, 
one of whom, being an old acquaintance, gave the prisoner a 
hat, of which he had been plundered by his captors. The Mo- 
hawks were on a hunting excursion, and remained in company 
with the party for a day or two, in the hope of affording the pri- 
soner an opportunity to escape. The captors were to be made 
drunk by liquor in possession of the Mohawks ; but as the time 
for the expedient drew near. Groat fell sick, and had to see his 
friends depart without him. He, however, gave one of them his 
tobacco-box, and requested him to carry it to his family, and tell 
them when and where he had seen its owner, that they might 
know he was still alive. The Indian did return and deliver the 
box as requested : but the family were suspicious the Indian had 
killed him and fabricated the story ; which his protracted absence 
tended to confirm. When he got back, he presented the friendly 
Indian with a fine horse. 

They proceeded some distance by water down Lake Champlain, 
and on landing at an Indian settlement. Groat had to run the 
gantlet. His captors had conceived quite an attachment for him, 
and offered before arriving at the village, to place a belt of wam- 
pum around his neck, which, according to the custom of their 



108 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY 

tribe, would have entitled him to the same privileges as them- 
selves ; and exonerated him from the running ordeal. He thought 
the acceptance of the belt would be an acknowledgment of his 
willingness to adopt the Indian life, and refused the offer proffered 
in kindness, which he regretted when too late. As the lines of 
women and boys were drawn up through which he was to flee, 
and he was about to start, his captors, who had relieved him of 
his pack, buried their faces in their hands, and would not witness 
his sufferings. He was beaten considerably, and on arriving at 
the goal of freedom, the blood from some of his bruises ran down 
to his feet. A short time after. Groat was sold to a French Ca- 
nadian, named Lewis De Snow, who told him, on going to his 
house, that he was to be his future master, and his wife his mis- 
tress. The former replied that he had long known his master — 
" he dwells ahove,^^ he added, pointing his finger upward. At 
first the Frenchman treated him unkindly. He was willing to 
work, but would not submit to imposition ; and on being severely 
treated one day, he assured his Canadian master, that sooner than 
put up with abuse, he would poison him and his wife, and make 
his escape. Learning his. independent spirit, his owner ever af- 
ter treated him like a brother. The next summer, war was form- 
ally declared between Great Britain and France. Groat was 
claimed as a British prisoner previous to the capture of Quebec, 
and was for six months imprisoned at St. Francis'' -way, near Mon- 
treal : where he suffered from short allowance of food. He was 
finally liberated and returned home, after an absence of four years 
and four months, to the surprise and joy of his family, which had 
considered him as lost forever — was again married, and my in- 
formant was a son by his second wife. John L. Groat died in 
January, 1845, aged about 90 years. 

Early in the French war. Eve, the wife of Jacob Van Alstine, 
who resided in the Mohawk valley, not far from the Groat fami- 
ly, was proceeding along the road on horseback, with a little 
daughter in her arms ; and while in the act of opening a swing- 
gate which obstructed the road, was fired upon by a party of hos- 
tile Indians, and wounded in one arm. The enemy then dispatched 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 109 

and scalped her, but sparing her child, carried it to Canada. Af- 
ter a long captivity, the child returned, — and now, ( 1843,) at the 
age of nearly a century, is still living with her nephew, J. C. Van 
Alstine, Esq., at Auriesville, Montgomery county. 

The following particulars relating to Sir William Johnson and 
his family, which were mostly derived from Mr. Groat, will, I 
trust, prove interesting to the reader. Lewis Groat, his father, 
lived on terms of intimacy with the Baronet, from his first arrival 
in the Mohawk valley, to the day of his death. 

Sir WilHam Johnson was born in Ireland in 1714, and was de- 
scended from honorable parentage. His uncle. Admiral Warren, 
(Sir Peter Warren,) secured a title to some fifteen thousand acres 
of land, lying mostly within the present town of Florida: not 
long after which. Sir William became his agent for those lands. 
Young Johnson had been disappointed in a love affair in his na- 
tive country, and was possibly sent to America on that account. 
He arrived in the colony of New York between the years 1735 
and 1740, and settled at a place then known as Warren's Bush, 
a few miles from the present village of Port Jackson. On his 
arrival, the Mohawk valley was mostly peopled by Indians. 
Small settlements had, indeed, been made by Germans at Canajo- 
harie, Stone Arabia and the German Flats ; and the Dutch were 
tardily extending their settlements westward of Schenectada; 
but the white population in the valley was, comparatively speak- 
ing, very limited. He at once resolved on a permanent settle- 
ment — closely observed the habits and customs of the natives, 
and being an adept in the study of human nature, soon acquired 
their confidence and good will. 

He had not been long in the valley before he became an agent 
of the British government, for the Six Indian Nations, possibly 
through the instrumentality of admiral Warren. Johnson had 
been only a few years at Warren's Bush, when his friend Lewis 
Groat, who lived but a short distance from his own residence, 
asked him in a familiar manner why he did not get married 1 
He replied that he wanted to marry a girl in Ireland — that his 
parents were opposed to the match, and that since he could not 



110 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

marry the girl of his choice, he had resolved never to marry, bid 
would multiply as much as he could. It is believed that he faith- 
fully observed this resolution for many years. Near the two 
canal locks below Port Jackson, some two miles from Johnson's 
residence, lived at that time, Alexander and Harman Phihps, 
brothers. With those brothers, was living in the capacity of a 
servant girl, Miss Lana [Eleanor] Wallaslous, unless I am mis- 
taken in her name, of German parentage. She was a native of 
Madagascar, and on arriving at New York at an early age, was 
sold into servitude, to pay her passage. She was an uncommon- 
ly fair — wholesome looking maid. Groat, knowing his friend's 
determination not to marry, asked him why he did not go and 
get the pretty High Dutch girl at Philips'' s, for a housekeeper ? 
He replied, I will do it! and they parted. 

Not long after this interview. Groat was at Philips's on busi- 
ness, and not seeing her, enquired of one of the brothers where 
their High Butch girl was? Said Philips, "Johnson, that d — d 
Irishman came the other day and offered me five pounds for her, 
threatening to horse-whip me and steal her if I would not sell her. 
I thought j^ve pounds better than d>. flogging, and took it, and he's 
got the gal." Johnson obtained the girl in the precise manner 
he had assured his friend he would proceed. This German girl 
was the mother of Sir John Johnson, and the wives of Col. Guy 
Johnson, an Irish relative of Sir WilUam, and Col. Daniel Claus. 

Henry Frey Yates, Esq., in a communication to his son, Ber- 
nard F., in which he notes several exceptions to sayings of Col. 
Stone, in the Life of Brant, which memoranda have been kindly 
placed in the hands of the writer by the son since the above was 
written, quotes from the first volume of that work, page 101, a re- 
mark that " the mother of Sir John Johnson was a German la- 
dy," and thus discourses : — " Mr. Stone has been misinformed as 
to the history of the mother of Sir John ; she was not a German 
lady. She was a German by birth." After naming William 
Harper, a former judge of Montgomery county, and his brother, 
Alexander, as authority for what he says, he thus continues : — 
" The facts with respect to the mother of Su- John are, that she 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. Ill 

was a poor German girl, who, on her arrival in New York, was 
sold for her passage over from Germany. That was then the uni- 
versal practice, and the only method that the poorer class of Ger- 
man emigrants had, when they wanted to emigrate to this coun- 
try. They were obhged, before they embarked on ship-board for 
America, to sign articles by which they bound themselves to the 
captain, that, on their arrival here, they should be sold for their 
passage money, for one, two, three, or £our years, as the captain 
could make a bargain with the purchaser, the captain being ob- 
liged to board them, &c. Whenever a ship arrived, it was imme- 
diately advertised that she had brought so many male and female 
immigrants, who were to be sold for their passage." 

They were usually sold into servitude, to such persons as would 
take them at the shortest period of services, and pay the captain, 
in advance, his charges for their passage and contingent expenses. 
Purchasers were bound, on their part, to treat those servants kind- 
ly, and release them at the expiration of their time. This custom 
continued for some twenty-five years after the close of the Ame- 
rican Revolution, and numbers who proved valuable citizens, avail- 
ed themselves of this method of crossing the Atlantic. When 
passengers were advertised for sale, says Mr. Yates — " The 
wealthy Germans and Low Dutch, from various parts of the 
country, would then repair to New York and make their purcha- 
ses. Sometimes one would purchase for a number of families. 
In this way it was, that the mother of Sir John was purchased 
for her passage across the Atlantic by a man named Philips, re- 
siding about twelve miles above Schenectada, on the south side of 
the Mohawk ; and nearly opposite Crane's village on the north 
side of the river. Sir William, seeing the young woman at the 
house of Mr. Philips, and being pleased with her, bought her 
of him and took her to his dwelling at the old fort. Sir WilHam 
had three children by her. Sir John, Mrs. Guy Johnson and Mrs. 
Col. Claus. Sir William never was married to her, until on her 
death bed, and then he did it only with a view to legitimize 
[legitimatise] his children by her. The ceremony was performed 
"by Mr. Barkley, the Episcopal minister residing at Fort Hunter, 



112 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

where he officiated in a stone church built Ly Queen Anne for 
the Mohawk Indians." 

At page 387, vol. 1, of Stone's Brant, Molly Brant, a sister of 
that chief, is spoken of as the wife of Sir William Johnson. With 
reference to this woman, says the memoranda of Yates — " It is 
true that Sir William was married to Molly according to the rites 
of the Episcopal church, but a few years before his death. The 
Baronet, feeling his life drawing to a close, and abhorring living 
longer in adultery, to quiet his conscience, privately married Molly 
to legitimize his children by her, as he had done those by the Ger- 
man girl, who was the mother of Sir John and his sisters." 

Among the few who witnessed the ceremony of the Baronet's 
second marriage, the memoranda names Robert Adams, a mer- 
chant of Johnstown, and Mrs. Rebecca Van Sickler : to the last 
mentioned he accredits his authority. Mrs. V. S., as the manu- 
script continues, " was always received into all the respectable fa- 
milies in Johnstown as a welcome guest, and was very fond of re- 
lating anecdotes of Sir William. Molly was a very exemplary 
woman, and was a communicant of the Episcopal church. Among 
all the old inhabitants on the Mohawk, Molly was respected, as 
not only reputable, but as an exemplary, pious, christian woman. 
The care that she took of the education of her children, and the 
manner in which she brought them up, is at once a demonstration 
of the depth of the moral sense of duty that she owed her off- 
spring." 

As early as the summer of 1746, C olden, in his Indian history, 
speaks of Mr. William Johnson (afterwards Sir William John- 
son) as " being indefatigable among the Mohawks." " He dressed 
himself," says that v.'riter, " after the Indian manner, made frequent 
dances according to their custom when they excite to war, and 
used all the means he could think of, at a considerable expense, 
(which His Excellency, George Clinton, had promised to repay 
him,) in order to engage them heartily in the war against Cana- 
da. [The same writer, noticing the efforts made by Johnson to 
engage the Mohawk Nation in the British interest against the 
French, in a war then existing, says that with a part of the Mo- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 113 

hawks then residing principally in the vicinity of the Lower Cas- 
tle^ he went to Albany to attend a treaty.] " That when the In- 
dians came near the town of Albany, on the 8th of August, Mr, 
Johnson put himself at the head of the Mohawks, dressed and 
painted after the manner of an Indian war-captain; and the In- 
dians who followed him were likewise dressed and painted as is 
usual with them when they set out in war. The Indians saluted 
the Governor as they passed the fort, by a running fire, which his 
Excellency ordered to be answered by a discharge of some cannon 
from the Fort. He afterwards received the sachems in the fort- 
hall, bid them welcome, and treated them with a glass of wine." 
Sir William was a military man of some distiction in the colony, 
and during the French war, held a general's commission. Soon 
after the signal defeat of Baron Dieskau, in 1755, by the troops 
under Gen. Johnson, in the northern wilds of New York, the title 
of baronet was conferred upon him, with a gift of parliament to 
make it set easy, oi five thousand pounds sterling, nearly twenty 
thousand dollars — in consideration of his success. His fortune 
was now made, and he was the man to enjoy it. Previously, he 
erected Fort Johnson, a large stone mansion on the north side of 
the Mohawk, about three miles west of Amsterdam, where he 
resided for nearly twenty years. This building, which was a 
noble structure for the middle of the last century, is pleasantly 
situated near the hill on the west bank of a creek, on which the 
Baronet built a grist mill. This dwelling, which was finished in- 
side in a then fashionable style, is said to have been fortified 
from the time of its erection, until the conquest of Canada and 
termination of the French war. 

This place, (now owned by Dr. Oliver Davidson,) is called 
Fort Johnson to this day. At a latter period he erected dwell- 
ings for his sons-in-law, Guy Johnson and Daniel Claus. That 
occupied by the first named, a large stone dwelling, is still stand- 
ing one mile above Amsterdam, and was formerly called Guy 
Park. Previous to its erection, he occupied a frame building 
standing upon the same site, which was struck by lightning and 
consumed. 



114 



HISTOBY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 




-?,-i-o-C^''^,'^'"ft-'!?J^i\T®Jp' ,';S, 





" i^. 



p"^/ 
f ^ 





SOUTH VIEW OF FORT JOHNSON. 



The mansion of Col. Claus, which was about centrally distan 
between Fort Johnson and Guy Park, was also constructed of 
stone, and was large on the ground ; but being only one and 
and a half stories high, it presented a less imposing appearance 
than did the other Johnson buildings. The cellar of the latter 
house is still to be seen. Each of those dwellings had a farm 
attached to it of one square mile, or six hundred and forty acres. 
About ten years before his death, Sir Wm. Johnson erected Johnson 
Hall, a large wood building with detached stone wings, situated one 
mile west from the village of Johnstown; and on his removal to 
that place, (at present owned and occupied by Mr. Eleazer Wells,) 



AND BORDER Y/ARS OF NEW YORK. 



115 



Fort Johnson became the residence of his son, who, during a 
visit to England, had also been gifted by royalty with a title to 
his name ; and an annual stipend of jive hundred -pounds for the 
honors of knishthood. Sir John married a Miss Watts of New 
York city. He was also on terms of intimacy for several years 
with Miss Clara Putman of the Mohawk valley, by whom he had 
several children 




EAST VIEW OF JOHNSON HALL. 



The following notice of the Baronet is from the September No. 
( 1755) of the London Gentleman's Magazine. The article was 
an extract from a journal written in America. 

" Major General Johnson, (an Irish gentleman) is universally 
esteemed in our parts, for the part he sustains. Besides his skill 
and experience as an old officer, he is particularly happy in ma- 
king himself beloved by all sorts of people, and can conform to all 
companies and conversations. He is very much of the fine gen- 
tleman in genteel company. But as the inhabitants next him are 
mostly Dutch, he sits down with them, and smokes his tobacco, 
drinks flip, and talks of improvements, bears and beaver skins. 
Being surrounded with Indians, he speaks several of their lan- 
guages well, and has always some of them with him. His house 
is a safe and hospitable retreat for them from the enemy. He 
takes care of their wives and children when they go out on par- 
ties, and even wears their dress. In short, by his honest dealings 
with them in trade, and his courage, which has often been suc- 
cessfully tried with them, and his courteous behaviour, he has so 
endeared himself to them, that they chose him one of their chief 
sachems or princes, and esteem him as their common father," 



116 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Sir William Johnson lived in comparative opulence from the 
time of his knighthood to the day of his death, which occurred 
suddenly at Johnson Hall, on the 24th of June, 1774. He died 
at the age of nearly sixty years. It was supposed by many of 
his neighbors at that time, that he found means to shorten his 
days by the use of poison. Col. Stone, in his Life of Brant, ex- 
presses a different opinion ; but several old people still living, 
who resided at that time, and have ever since, but a few miles 
from Johnson Hall, believe to this day that he took the suicidal 
drauo-ht. There were certainly some very plausible reasons for 
such a conclusion. As the cloud of colonial difficulty was 
spreading from the capital of New England to the frontier Eng- 
lish settlements, Sir William Johnson was urged by the British 
crown to take sides with the parent country. He had been taken 
from comparative obscurity, and promoted by the government of 
England, to honors and wealth. Many wealthy and influential 
friends around him, were already numbered among the advocates 
of civil liberty. Should he raise his arm against that power 
which had thus signally honored him? Should he take sides 
with the oppressor against many of his tried friends in a thousand 
perilous adventures 1 These were serious questions, as we may 
reasonably suppose, which often occupied his mind. The Baronet 
declared to several of his valued friends, as the storm of civil dis- 
cord was gathering, that " England and her colonies were ap- 
proaching a terrible war, but that he should never live to witness 
it" Such assertions were not only made to Lewis Groat, but 
also to Daniel Campbell and John Baptist Van Eps, of Schenec- 
tada, and to some of them repeatedly. At the time of his death, 
a court was sitting in Johnstown, and while in the court house on 
the afternoon of the day of his death, a package from England, of 
a political nature, was handed him. He left the court house, 
went directly home, and in a few hours was a corpse. The fore- 
going particulars are corroborated by the researches of Giles F. 
Yates Esq. The excitement of the occasion may have produced 
his death without the aid of poison ; but as he died thus suddenly, 
his acquaintances believed he had hastened his death. The three 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



117 



individuals named, being together after the event, and speaking 
of the Baronet's death, agreed in their opinion that his former 
declarations were prophetic, and that he was a man sufficiently 
determined to execute such design if once conceived. Col. Guy 
Johnson succeeded Sir William at his death,as the superintendent 
of Indian affairs for the colony of New York. 

In 1775, Guy Johnson abandoned his situation on the Mohawk, 
and, with Joseph Brant and a formidable number of the Six Na- 
tions, went to Canada. Whether Colonel Claus accompanied 
Guy Johnson or Sir John to Canada, is uncertain ; but sure it is, 
he also left his possessions in the valley and removed thither. 
Sir John, violating a compact of neutrality made with General 
Schuyler, set out for Canada in the month of May, 1776, ac- 
companied by about three hundred followers, mostly Scotch 
settlers in and around Johnstown. After a march of nineteen 
days through an almost unbroken wilderness, suffering severely 
for the want of provisions, they reached Montreal. The wife of 
Guy Johnson died a short time after her removal to Canada. 




NORTH VIEW OF GUY PARK. 



Guy Park, which was just completed when its owner left it, 
was occupied during the war by Henry Kennedy; Fort Johnson 
by Albert Veeder ; and the Claus' house by Col. John Harper, 
until it accidentally took fire from a supposed defect in the chim- 
ney, and burned down. A tavern was afterwards erected near 

9 



118 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

its site, and was for years known as the Simons place. These 
buildings, and the lands of their owners, with Johnson Hall and 
the lands belonging to it, were confiscated to the United States j 
as was also the property of Col. John Butler, one of the King's 
justices for Tryon county, a man of influence and wealth, who re- 
moved at the beginning of the war from the same neighborhood 
to Canada. 

The commissioners appointed March 6th, 1777, for disposing 
of confiscated personal property in Tryon county, were Col. Fre- 
derick Fisher, Col. John Harper, and Maj. John Eisenlord. The 
latter was, however, killed in the Oriskany battle, early in August 
following, and his place supplied by one Garrison. 

When the personal property of Sir John Johnson was sold, 
which was some time before the sale of his real estate, his slaves 
were disposed of among the " goods and chattels." Col. Volkert 
Veeder bought the confidential one with whom the Knight left 
his plate and valuable papers, who buried them after his former 
master left. He kept the concealment of those valuables a secret 
in his own breast for four years, until Sir John visited the Mo- 
hawk valley in 1780, and recovered them and the slave. 

The commissioners for selling real estates in Tryon county, 
were Henry Otthout and Jeremiah Van Rensselaer. They sold 
Johnson Hall, with seven hundred acres of land, to James Cald- 
well of Albany, for .£6,600 — who soon after sold it for .£1,400. 
Caldwell paid the purchase in public securities, bought up for a 
song, and said he made money in the speculation, although he 
disposed of the property for -£5,200 less, " on paper," than he 
gave for it. This transaction will serve to show the state of 
American credit at that period — probably in 1778 or '79. 

Tradition says that a black ghost appeared several times dur- 
ing the Revolution, in a room in the north-west part of Fort 
Johnson, while occupied by Veeder. In one of the rooms at Guy 
Park, a female ghost resembling the then deceased wife of Guy 
Johnson is said to have appeared, to the great annoyance of the 
credulous Kennedy family. Even in the day time, they were 
more than once alarmed. About this time a German, a stranger 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 119 

to the family, called there, and inquired if the lady of its former 
proprietor had not been seen ; and when answered in the affirma- 
tive, he requested permission to tarry over night in the haunted 
room. It was readily granted, and he retired at an early hour. 
In the morning before his departure, he told the family they need 
be under no further apprehension, that the ghost would not again 
appear ; and in truth she did not. The mystery of the visits to 
those dwellings, which was a favorite theme on the tongue of the 
marvelous for many years, has never been revealed, and some of 
the old people living in the vicinity still believe that the visitants 
were supernatural beings, or real ghosts. The truth probably is, 
that the black ghost seen at Fort Johnson, was not the ideal, but 
the flesh and blood person of the confidential slave of its former 
proprietor ; who, by showing his ivory to some purpose, took ad- 
vantage of the fears of the family to bear off some valuable arti- 
cle secreted in some part of the building by its former occupants. 
Nor is it unlikely that a similar mission prompted some female to 
visit Guy Park — for ghosts never travel by daylight — that she 
could not find the article sought for, and that consequently a man, 
a stranger to the family, whose agent she may have been, know- 
ing she had failed to obtain the treasure, visited the house, and 
by gaining access to the room, found the object desired, and could 
then tell the family confidently that the ghost would not reap- 
pear. Many valuable articles were left behind by tories in their 
flight, who expected soon to return and recover them ; and when 
they found the prospect of their return cut off, or long delayed, 
they then obtained them by the easiest means possible — and sure- 
ly none were easier than through the mystery of superstition. 

From the great facility of Sir William Johnson to obtain lands, 
he became a most extensive land -holder. He was remarkably 
fond of women; and is believed to have been the father of 
several scores — some say an hundred children ; by far the larger 
number of whom were part native, some by young squaws, and 
others by the wives of Indians who thought it an honor to have 
them on intimate terms with the king's agent ; and would even 
bring them a great distance to prostitute them to his insatiable 



120 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

lust. The Five Nations, says Colden, carried their hospitali- 
ty to distinguished strangers so far, as to allow them their choice 
of a young squaw, from among the prettiest in the neighborhood, 
(washed clean and dressed in her best apparel) as a companion 
during his sojourn with them ; who performed all the duties of a 
fond wife. Of this custom, which was in vogue when the Baron- 
et settled among them, he availed himself. He had a rich scar- 
let blanket made, and bound with gold lace, which he wore 
when transacting business with the Indians, and it being a par- 
tial adoption of their own style of wardrobe, it pleased them very 
much. He often boasted of the pleasurable scenes of which that 
blanket was the sole witness. He erected buildings at a place 
called the Fish House, on the south bank of the Sacondaga river, 
some twelve or fifteen miles north-east of Johnstown, where he 
kept two white concubines, by the name of Wormwood. After 
the death of the mother of Sir John Johnson and his two own 
sisters, the Baronet took to his bosom Molly Brant, with whom 
he lived until his death. She was the mother of seven of his 
children. 

Many pleasing anecdotes are related of Sir William Johnson, 
who perhaps exerted an unbounded influence over a greater num- 
ber of Indians, than it was ever the lot of another white man to 
obtain in North America. His general character was rather happily 
elineated by Paulding in his Dutchman'' s Fireside. When he 
had trinkets and other presents to distribute among the Five Na- 
tions, and they assembled around Fort Johnson, and afterwards 
Johnson Hall, his tenants and neighbors were invited to be pre- 
sent. He was extravagantly fond of witnessing athletic feats, 
and on such occasions was gratified. On those festivals, not only 
young Indians and squaws, but whites, both male and female, 
were often seen running foot races, or wrestling for some gaudy 
trinket, or fancy article of wearing apparel. Men were some- 
times seen running foot races for a prize, with a meal-bag drawn 
over their legs and tied under the arms. The ludicrous figure 
presented by the crippled strides and frequent tumbles of those 
competitors, was a source of no little pleasure. Not unfrequent- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 121 

ly a fat swine was the prize of contention. Its tail being well 
greased, the whole hog was given its freedom, and the individual 
who could seize and hold it by the tail became its lawful owner. 
It required a powerful gripe to win, and many a hand did such 
prizes usually slip through. An old woman is said to have seized 
on one, amid the jeers of the laughing multitude, after it had es- 
caped the grasp of many strong hands, and firmly held it. The 
secret was, she had prepared herself with a handful of sand. On 
one occasion, half a pound of tea was awarded to the individual 
who could, by contortion of feature, make the wryest face. Two 
old women were sometimes heard scolding most vehemently, the 
successful one to be rewarded with a bladder of Scotch snufF. 
The erection of a straight pole, after it had been peeled and well 
besmeared with soft-soap, with a prize upon its top worth seek- 
ing, — and after which the young Indians, in a state of nudity, 
would climb, was an oft repeated source of amusement. Children 
were sometimes seen searching in a mud-puddle for coppers Sir 
William had thrown in. His ingenuity was taxed for new sour- 
ces of merriment, and various were the expedients adopted to give 
zest to the scenes exhibited on those gala days. He was also a 
man of considerable taste, and discovered not a little in the culti- 
vation of shrubbery around Fort Johnson. 

As the Johnsons were extensive land-owners, and preferred leas- 
ing to selling land, their disaffection to the American govern- 
ment, and its final confiscation, was a good thing for the country, 
as it became subsequently occupied by freeholders. The confis- 
cated lands of the Johnson family, must have yielded no in- 
considerable sum to an impoverished treasury. 

The following anecdote is related of Sir William Johnson, who 
preferred retaining in himself the right of soil to his landed pos- 
sessions. He one day visited a tenant who was engaged in chop- 
ping wood for him. After some little conversation, the chopper 
described a certain one hundred acre lot in Albany bush, (now the 
eastern part of Johnstown,) and asked the Baronet what he would 
take for it, and execute him a deed. The latter, supposing the 
man had very little money, named a sum which was about the 



122 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

real value of the soil. " / will take it" was the quick and em- 
phatic reply of the laborer ; and he began counting out the mo- 
ney to his astonished landlord, upon the very stump the last fallen 
tree had left. " I would rather not have sold it for twice that 
sum," said Sir William, " but since you have fairly bought it, 
you shall have a title to it ;" and taking the money, he executed 
a deed to him. He was the patron of many laudable enterprises, 
and I must suppose him to have aided in establishing Queen's 
College, N. J., as he was the first trustee named in the charter. 

In the summer of 1764, says the Gentleman'' s Magazine, pub- 
lished soon after, 

" Sir William Johnson, with a body of regular and provincial 
forces, to which more than one thousand friendly Indians have 
joined themselves, has lately marched to visit the forts of Oswego, 
Niagara, Detroit s, Pittsburg, ^c, in order to strike terror in the 
Western nations, and to reduce them to reason ; many of these 
nations are unknown to their brethren, and some have already of- 
fered terms of peace ; the Shawnese are the most formidable of 
those who stand out : And the friendly Bidians express great eager- 
ness to attack them. Since the march of these troops, the back 
settlements have enjoyed perfect tranquility ; and the Senecas have 
sent in a great number of English prisoners, agreeable to their en- 
gagement." 

In the May number of the same Magazine, for 1765, 1 find the 
following additional notice of the Baronet : 

" Sir William Johnson at his seat at Johnson Hall, in North 
America, has had a visit lately paid him by vipwards of a thousand 
Indians of different tribes, all in friendship ; greatly to the satis- 
faction of his Excellency, as tending to promote a good understand- 
ing with those nations, for the good of his Majesty's subjects." 

Before his death. Sir William Johnson willed to his children by 
Miss Brant, the valuable lands known as the Royal Grant, which 
he obtained so easily from the celebrated warrior Hendrick. Af- 
ter death, his remains v/ere placed in a mahogany coflfm, and that 
inclosed in a leaden one, previous to being deposited in a vault 
beneath the Episcopal Church ; which building was erected m 
Johnstown about the year 1772. At some period of the Revolu- 
tion, lead being very scarce, the vault was opened and the leaden 
coffin taken by the patriots and moulded into bullets. The coffin 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



123 



containing the body having become somewhat broken, a new one 
was made after the war closed, and the Baronet's remains trans- 
ferred to it. The Hd of the first coffin, which bore his name in 
silver nails, was afterward suspended in the church. Not many- 
years ago, the edifice was fitted up at considerable cost, at which 
time the vault was filled up with sand. In a destructive fire which 
subsequently visited Johnstown, the church was burned down; 
and on its being rebuilt, the site was so altered as to leave the 
grave of Sir William* outside its walls. — Alexander J. Comrie. 




HENDRICK, GREAT CHIEF OF THE MOHAWK NATION. 



" The brave old He7idric/i, the great Sachem or Chief of the 
Mohawk Indians, one of the Six Nations now in Alliance with, and 
subject to the King of Great Britain." 

* A portrait of Sir William Johnson was owned in Johnstown until about 
the year 1830, when it was purchased by a member of the CoL Claus family 
for a small sum, and taken to Canada. — Mrs- W, S. 



124 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

At the bottom of the picture is the preceding explanation. 
This celebrated warrior, commonly called King Hendrick, was, 
for a time, the most distinguished Indian in the colony of New 
York. For the picture from which the above was engraved, I 
would here acknowledge my indebtedness to John S. Walsh, Esq., of 
Bethlehem. This interesting relic of the Mohawk valley, around 
which cluster associations of classic interest, connected with the 
colonial history of the state, was sold in the revolution among the 
confiscated property of Sir John Johnson, went into the Cuyler 
family for a length of time, and subsequently into that of Mr. 
Walsh. The tradition in the latter family is, that Hendrick visit- 
ed England in the evening of his life, and that while there was 
presented, by his Majesty, with a suit of clothes richly embroid- 
ered with gold lace, in which he sat for his portrait. As he is 
represented in full court dress, it is highly probable the tradition 
is correct. The original picture is a spirited engraving — colored 
to life and executed in London, but at what date is unknown ; 
probably about the year 1745 or '50. He visited Philadelphia 
some time before his death, says the historian Bwight, at which 
time his likeness was taken ; from which a wax figure was made, 
said to have been a good imitation of his person. 

King Hendrick was born about the year 1680, and generally 
dwelt at the Upper Castle of the Mohawk nation, although for a 
time he resided near the present residence of Nicholas Yost, on 
the north side of the Mohawk, below the Nose. He was one of 
the most sagacious and active sachems of his time. He stood high 
in the confidence of Sir William Johnson, with whom he was en- 
gaged in many perilous enterprises against the Canadian French ; 
and under whose command he fell in the battle of Lake George, 
September 8th, 1755, covered with glory. In the November 
number of the Gentleman's Magazine, for 1755, is the following 
notice of his death : 

" The whole body of our Indians were prodigiously exasperated 
against the French and their Indians, occasioned by the death of 
the famous Hendrick, a renowned Indian warrior among the Mo- 
hawks, and one of their sachems, or kings, who was slain in the 
battle, and whose son upon being told that his father was killed, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 125 

giving the usual Indian groan upon such occasions, and suddenly 
putting his hand on his left breast, swore his father was still alive 
in that place, and stood there in his son." 

The tract of land owned by Sir William Johnson, and called 
the Royal Grant, which contained nearly one hundred thousand 
acres of choice land, now mostly situated in the county of Herki- 
mer, was obtained from Hendrick in the following manner. Be- 
ing at the Baronet's house (Fort Johnson) the sachem observed a 
new coat, richly embroidered with gold lace, which the former 
intended for his own person ; and on entering his presence after a 
night's rest, he said to him, "Brother, me dream last night." 
" Indeed," responded the royal agent, " and what did my red 
brother dream?" "Me dream," was the chief's reply, "that 
this coat be mine !" " Then," said the sagacious Irishman, " it 
is yours, to which you are welcome." Soon after this interview. 
Sir William returned his guest's visit, and on meeting him in the 
morning said to him, " Brother, I dreamed last night !" " What 
did my pale-faced brother dream?" interrogated the Sachem. 
" I dreamed," said his guest, " that this tract of land," describing 
a square bounded on the south by the Mohawk, on the east by 
Canada creek, and on the north and west by objects familiar to 
them, " was all my own !" Old Hendrick assumed a thoughtful 
mood, but although he saw the enormity of the request, he would 
not be outdone in generosity, or forfeit the friendship of the 
British agent, and soon responded, " Brother, the land is yours, 
but you must not dream again !" The title to this land was con- 
firmed by the British government, on which account it was called 
the Royal Grant. — Henry Frey Yates, Esq. 

In the summer of 1754, a plan of colonial alliance was pro- 
posed in the American colonies, to resist the encroachments of 
the Canadian French and Indians, in furtherance of which the 
chiefs of the Six Nations of New York met the commissioners 
of the several governments at Albany on the 2d of July ; when 
those Sachems were addressed by James De Lancey, then lieu- 
tenant governor of the colony. Hendrick, whose speeches are 
said to have been correctly reported for the London Magazine, in 



126 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

.which I find them, was the principal speaker; and as those 
speeches will compare for reasoning and pathos with those of 
modern statesmen, indeed, would not have disgraced a Demos- 
thenes, and will serve to introduce the young reader to an almost 
extinct race of men, I insert them. 

Abraham, Sachem of the Upper Castle of the Mohawks, rose 
up and said — 

" Brethren, You, the governor of New York, and the cohimis- 
sioners of the other governments, are you ready to hear us ! The 
governor replied, they were all ready. 

" Then Hendrick, brother to the said Abraham, and a Sachem 
of the same castle, rose up and spake in behalf of the Six Na- 
tions as follows : 

" Brethren, just now you told us you were ready to hear us ; 
hearken unto me. 

" Brother Corlaer, (a name given to the governor of New York 
by the Indians long ago,) and brothers of the other governments, 
Saturday last you told us that you came here by order of the great 
king our common father, and in his name to renew the antient 
chain of friendship between this and the other governments on 
the continent, and us the Six United Nations : And you said also, 
there Avere then present commissioners from Massachusetf s Bay, 
New Ha?npshi7'e, Connecticut, Rhode Islajid, Fensylvania, and ■ 
Maryland ; and that Virginia and Carolina desired to be con- 
sidered also as present : We rejoice that by the king's orders, we 
are all met here this day, and are glad to see each other face to 
face ; we are very thankful for the same, and Ave look upon the 
governors of South Carolina and Virginia as also present, [a belt. 

" Brethren, We thank you in the most hearty manner for your 
condolence to us ; we also condole all your relations and friends 
who have died since our last meeting here. [g^^e three 

strings of wampum. 

" Brethren, (holding the chain belt given by his honor and the 
several governors in his hand,) We return you all o^xc grateful 
acknowledgements for renewing and brightening the covenant- 
chain. 

" This belt is of very great importance to our united nations 
and all our allies. We will therefore take it to Onondago, where 
our council-fire always burns, and keep it so securely, that neither 
thunder nor lightning shall break it. There we will consult over 
it, and as we have lately added two links to it, so we will use 
our endeavors to add as many links more as it lies in our power : 
And we hope when we shew you this belt again, we shall give 
you reason to rejoice at it, by your seeing the vacancies in it filled 
up (referring to his honor's explanation of it in his general speech). 
In the mean time we desire that you will strengthen yourselves, 
and bring as manv into this covenant as you possibly can. We 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 127 

do now solemnly renew and brighten the covenant-chain with our 
brethren here present, and with all our other absent brethren on 
the continent. 

" Brethren, As to the accounts you have heard of our living 
divided from each other, it is very true, we have several times 
attempted to draw off those of our brethren who are settled at 
Oswegatie, but in vain; for the governor of Canada is like a 
wicked deluding spirit ; however, as you desire, we shall persist 
in our endeavors. 

" You have asked us the reason of our living in this divided 
manner ; the reason is, your neglecting us these three years past ; 
(then taking a stick and throwing it behind his back) You have 
thus thrown us behind your backs, and disregarded us ; whereas, 
the French are subtle and vigilant people, ever using their utmost 
endeavors to seduce and bring our people over to them. [a belt. 

" Brethren, The encroachments of the French, and what you 
have said to us on that article on behalf of the king our father ; 
as these matters were laid before us as of great importance, so 
we have made strict enquiry among all our people, if any of them 
have either sold or given the French leave to build the forts you 
mention, and we cannot find that either sale has been made or 
leave has been given ; but the French have gone thither without 
our consent or approbation, nor ever mentioned it to us. 

" Brethren, The governor of Virginia and the governor of 
Canada are both quarrelling about lands which belong to us, and 
such a quarrel as this may end in our destruction. They fight 
who shall have the land ; the governors of Virgi?iia and Peniisyl- 
vania have made paths through our country to trade, and built 
houses Avithout acquainting us with it ; The}'" should have first 
asked our consent to build there, as was done when Oswego was 
built. [§"^"^6 a belt. 

" Brethren, It is very true, as you told us, that the clouds 
hang heavy over us, and it is not very pleasant to look up, but 
we give you this belt [giving a belt] to clear away all clouds, that 
we may all live in bright sunshine, and keep together in strict 
union and friendship ; then we shall become strong, and nothing 
can hurt us. 

" Brethren, This is the antient place of treaty where the fire of 
friendship always used to burn, and it is now three years since 
we have been called to any public treaty here ; 'tis true, there are 
commissioners here, but they have never invited us to smoke 
with them (by which they mean, the commissioners had never 
invited them to any conference), but the Lidians of Canada came 
frequently and smoked with them, which is for the sake of their 
beaver, but we hate them (meaning the French Indians) : We 
have not as yet confirmed the peace with them : 'tis your fault, 
brethren, we are not strengthened by conquest, for we should 
have gone and taken Crown Poifit, but you hindered us : We had 
concluded to go and take it ; but we were told it was too late, and 



128 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY 

that the ice would not bear us. Instead of this you burnt your 
own fort at Saraghtogee and run away from it ; which was a 
shame and a scandal to you. Look about your country, and see 
you have no fortifications about you, no, not even to this city. 
'Tis but one step from Canada hither, and the French may easily 
come and turn you out of doors. 

" Brethren, You desired us to speak from the bottom of our 
hearts, and we shall do it. Look about you, and see all these 
houses full of beaver, and the money is all gone to Canada; like- 
wise your powder, lead, and guns, which the French make use of 
at the Ohio. 

" Brethren, You were desirous we should open our minds and 
our hearts to you ; look at the French, they are men ; they are 
fortifying every where ; but we are ashamed to say it ; you are 
like women, bare and open, without any fortifications." 

At the close of the above speech, Abraham, a brother of Hen- 
drick, rose up and said : 

" Brethren, We should let you know what was our desire three 
years ago, when Col. Johnson [he was promoted to Major General 
in 1754] laid down the management of Indian affairs, which gave 
us great uneasiness ; the governor then told us, (governor of New 
York) it was in his power to continue him, but that he would con- 
sult the council of New York ; that he was going over to England, 
and promised to recommend our desire, that Col. Johnson should 
have the management of Indian affairs, to the king, that the new 
governor might have power to reinstate him. We long waited in 
expectation of this being done, but hearing no more of it, we em- 
brace this opportunity of laying this belt [and gave a belt] before 
all our brethren here present, and desire that Col. Johnson may be 
reinstated and have the management of Indian affairs ; for we all 
lived happy whilst under his management ; for we love him, and 
he us ; and he has always been our good and trusty friend. 

" Brethren, I forgot something ; we think our request about Col. 
Johnson, which governor Clinton promised to carry to the king our 
father, is drowned in the sea ; the fire here is burnt out ; and 
turning his face to the New York commissioners for Indian affairs 
in Albany there present, desired them to notice what he said." 

On the same day, Hendrick, in the name of the Mohawks of 
the Upper Castle [Connejohary) in a private audience, delivered 
the following speech — in the presence of several sachems of each 
of the other nations, to the governor of New York : 

" Brother, We had a message some time since to meet you at 
his place when the fire burns ; we of Comiejohary, met the mes- 
senger you sent with a letter at Col. Johnson's ; and as soon as 
we received it we came running down, and the Six Nations are 
now here complete." 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 129 

The Governor replied — 

" Brethren of the Six Nations, you are welcome. I take this op- 
portunity, now you are all together, to condole the loss in the 
death of your friends and relations since you last met here ; and 
with this string of wampum I wipe away your tears, and take sor- 
row ffom your hearts, that you may open your minds and speak 
freely." [a string of wampum. 

Hendrick continued — 

" Brother, We thank you for condoling our loss ; for wiping 
away our tears that we may speak freely ; and as we do not doubt 
but you have lost some of your great men and friends, we give you 
this string of condolence in return, that it may remove your sor- 
rows, that we may both speak freely : [gave a string.] (Then Hen- 
drick, addressing himself to the Six Nations, said,) " That last 
year he attended Col. Johnson to Onondago to do service to the 
king and their people ; that Col. Johnson told them, another gov- 
ernor was expected soon, and they Avould then have an opportu- 
nity of seeing him, and laying their grievances before him. — That 
the new governor arrived soon after, and scarcely had they heard 
of his arrival, but they had an account of his death : and that 
now he was glad to see his honor, to whom he would declare his 
grievances. 

" Brother, We thought you would wonder why we of Connejo- 
hary staid so long ; we shall noAv give you the reason. Last sum- 
mer we of Connejohary were at New York to make our complaint, 
and we thought then the covenant chain Avas broken, because we 
were neglected ; and when you neglect business, the French take 
advantage of it ; for they are never quiet. — It seemed so to us, 
that the governor had turned his back upon the Five Nations, as 
if they were no more ; whereas the French are doing all in their 
power to draw us over to them. We told the governor last sum- 
mer, we blamed him for the neglect of the Five Nations ; and at 
the same time we told him the French were drawing the Five Na- 
tions away to Oswegechie, owing to that neglect which might have 
been prevented, if proper use had been made of that warning ; 
but now we are afraid it is too late. We remember how it was in 
former times, when we were a strong and powerful people : Col. 
Schuyler used frequently to come among us, and by this means Ve 
kept together. 

" Brother, We, the Mohawks, are in very difficult circumsran- 
ces, and are blamed for things behind our backs which we do not 
deserve. Last summer, when we went up with Col. Johnson to 
Onondago, and he made his speech to the Five Nations, the Five 
Nations said they liked the speech, but that the Mohawks had made 
it. We are looked upon by the other nations as Col. Johnson's 
counsellors, and supposed to hear all the news from him, which is 
not the case ; for Col. Johnson does not receive from, or impart 
much news to us. This is our reason for staying behind, for if we 
had come first, the other nations would have said that we made the 



130 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Governor's speech ; and therefore, though we were resolved to 
come, we intended the other nations should be before us, that they 
might hear the Governor's speech, which we could hear afterwards. 
" There are some of our people who have large open ears, and 
talk a little broken English and Dutch, so that they hear what is 
said by the Christian settlers near them, and by this means we 
come to understand that we are looked upon to be a proud nation, 
and therefore stayed behind. 'Tis true and known we are so ; and 
that we, the Mohatolcs, are the head of all the other nations. Here 
they are, and must own it. But it was not out of pride we Conne- 
joharies stayed behind ; but for the reason we have already given." 

A speaker followed Hendrick, in behalf of all the Six Nations. 
After expressing his joy at the renewal of the ancient covenant- 
chain hetween all his Majesty's governments on the continent and 
the Six Nations ; for the promises on the part of the New York 
Governor of future protection ; and the danger he thought they 
v/ould be in, if Col. Johnson left off the management of Indian af- 
fairs^ — observing, if he fail us, we die, — he alluded to w^hat the 
Governor of Pennsylvania, through Mr. Weiser, his interpreter, had 
said on the day before, respecting a new road from Pennsylvania 
to Ohio. " We thank the Governor of Virginia,^' said he, " for 
assisting the Indians at the Ohio, who are our relations and allies ; 
and we approve of the Governor of Pennsylvania not having 
hitherto intermeddled in this affair. He is a wise and prudent 
manj and will know his own time." He closed as follows : — 

" Brethren, We put you in mind in our former speech of the de- 
fenceless state of our frontiers, particularly of the country of Che- 
nectady, and of the country of the Five Nations. You told us yes- 
terday you were consulting about securing both yourselves and us. 
We beg you will contrive something speedily: you are not safe 
from danger one day. The French have their hatchet in their 
hands both at the Ohio and in two places in Neio Ertgland. We 
don't know but this very night they may attack us. One of the 
principal reasons why we desire you to be speedy in this matter is, 
that since Col. Johnson has been in this city, there has been a 
French Indian at his house, who took measure of the wall round 
it, and made a very narrow observation of every thing thereabouts. 
We think him {Col. Johnson) in very great danger, because the 
French will take more than ordinary pains either to kill him or 
take him a prisoner, upon account of his great interest among us, 
being also one of the Five Nation." {Col. Johnson is one of their 
Sachems.) [Gave four strings of wampum. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 131 

The Governor replied — 

" I have now done speaking to you ; but before I cover up the 
fire I must recommend to you to behave quietly and peaceably to 
all your brethren and their cattle, in your return home." 

Hendrick responded — 

" Your honor told us you now covered up the fires, and we are 
all highly pleased that all things have been so amicably settled ; 
and hope that all that has passed between us may be strictly ob- 
served on both sides. 

" Brethren of the several governments, We hope that you will 
not fail in the covenant-chain, wherewith we are mutually bound, 
and have now so solemnly renewed and strengthened ; if we do 
not hold fast by this chain of friendship our enemies will laugh us 
to scorn. 

" Brethren, We wish you would all contribute to make some 
provision for us in our return home, which will eifectually prevent 
our people from killing the inhabitants' cattle ; and we desire you 
will provide some wagons for us to go to Chenectady. We think 
this expense will fall too heavy upon our province, as we have the 
presents from all to carry up. We beg we may take all care of 
the fire of friendship, and preserve it, by our mutual attention, 
from further injuries. We will take care of it on our sides, 
and hope our brethren will do so on theirs. We wish the tree of 
friendship may grow up to a great height, and then we shall be a 
powerful people, 

" We, the United Six Nations, shall rejoice in the increase of 
our strength, so that all other nations may stand in awe of us. 

" Brethren, I will just tell you Avhat a people we were formerly. 
If any enemies rose against us, we had no occasion to lift our whole 
hand against them, for our little finger was sufficient ; and as we 
have now made so strong a confederacy, if we are truly earnest 
therein, we may retrieve the ancient glory of the Five Nations. 

" Brethren, We have now done. But one word more must we 
add : If the French continue their hostilities, the interpreter will 
want assistance — three or four to be joined with him ; but this 
matter we submit to the Governor. We have now fully finished 
all we have to say." 

The following speech, delivered at the same convention by one 
of the River or Stockbridge Indians, is too full of figure and me- 
lancholy truth to be omitted in this place : 

"Fathers, We are greatly rejoiced to see you all here; it is by 
the will of Heaven that we are met here, and we thank you for 
this opportunity of seeing you all together, as it is a long while 
since we had such a one. 



132 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" Fathers, who are here present, We will give you a short rela- 
tion of the long friendship which has subsisted between the white 
people of this country and us. Our forefathers had a castle on 
the river : as one of them walked out he saw something on the 
river, but was at a loss to know what it was ; he took it at first for 
a great fish ; he run into the castle and gave notice to the other 
Indians ; two of our forefathers went to see what it was, and found 
it a vessel with men in it ; they immediately joined hands with 
the people in the vessel, and became friends. The white people 
told them they should not come up the river any further at that 
time, and said to them they would return back from whence they 
came, and come again in a year's time, and come as far up the 
river as where the old fort stood. Our fathers invited them ashore, 
and said to them " Here we will give you a place to make you a 
town; it shall be from this place up to such a stream, (meaning 
where the petteroon mill now stands,) and from the river back up 
to the hill. Our forefathers told them, though they were now a 
small people, they would in time multiply, and fill up the land 
they had given them. After they were ashore some time, some 
other Indians, who had not seen them before, looked fiercely at 
them ; and our forefathers observing it, and seeing the white peo- 
ple so few in number, lest they should be destroyed, took and shel- 
tered them under their arms ; but it turned out that those Indians 
did not desire to destroy them, but wished also to have the same 
white people for their friends. At this time which we have now 
spoken of, the white people were small, but we were very numer- 
ous and strong ; we defended them in that low state : But now the 
case is altered ; you are numerous and strong, but we are few and 
weak ; therefore we expect that you will act b)^ us in these cir- 
cumstances, as we did by you in those we have just now related. 
We view you now as a very large tree, which has taken deep root 
in the ground, whose branches are spread very wide. We stand 
by the body of the tree, and we look round to see if there be any 
one who endeavors to hurt it, and if it should so happen, that any 
are powerful enough to destroy it, we are ready to fall with it. 

[gave a belt. 
" Fathers, you see how early we made friendship with you ; we 
tied each other in a strong chain : That chain has not yet been 
broken : We now clean and rub that chain to make it brighter 
and stronger ; and we determine on our parts that it shall never 
be broken ; and we hope that you will take care, that neither you 
nor any one else shall break it ; and we are greatly rejoiced, that 
peace and friendship have so long subsisted between us." — Gen- 
tlemen's Magazine. 

The three Castles of the Mohawk Nation, says C olden, were 
all surprised and captured by a party of six or seven hundred 
French and Indians, on the 8th of March, 1693. The Lower 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 133 

Castle was bravely defended by the few warriors who chanced to 
be in it, until they were overpowered by numbers. 

In the reign of Queen Anne of England, and about the year 
1710, a frontier military post was established at the junction of 
the Schoharie and Mohawk rivers, on the east bank of the form- 
er, and near the eastern Mohawk Castle. Captain John Scott, 
an English officer, erected a small fort of hewn timber at this 
place, and called it Fort Hunter, in honor of Robert Hunter, then 
governor of the colony ; which fort was intended to protect the 
natives against the hostile French, and secure their trade. About 
the same time a small church was built near the fort, and called 
Queen Jinne's Chapel. It was erected by the Queen, whose mu- 
nificence endowed it, says Colden, " with furniture, and a valuable 
set of plate for the communion table." It was a substantial stone 
edifice, somewhat resembling in appearance the one afterwards 
erected at Caughnawaga, and was for a great length of time un- 
der the management of an Episcopal Society in England, for 
p'ropagating the gospel in foreign parts, which society supported 
a minister ai this place as a missionary among the Mohawk In- 
dians. The entrance to the chapel was on its north side near the 
centre. The pulpit, which was provided with a sounding board, 
stood at the west end, and directly opposite were two pews fin- 
ished for the occupancy of Sir William Johnson and the minister's 
family ; the floor of which was elevated. Johnson's pew was 
also furnished with a wooden canopy. Moveable benches served 
the rest of the congregation with seats. 

Fort Hunter was a place of no little importance in the early 
history of the Mohawk valley ; and at that post were doubtless 
planned some important enterprises against the Canadas. Speak- 
ing of the Indian " war dances," Colden says : 

" An officer of the regular troops told me, that while he was 
commandant of Fort Hunter, the Mohaivks on one of these occa- 
sions, (that of a war dance,) told him, that they (the Indians) ex- 
pected the usual military honors as they passed the ganison. The 
men presented their pieces as the Indians passed, and the drum 
beat a march ; and with less respect, the officer said, they would 
have been dissatisfied. The Indians passed in single row one af- 

10 



134 



HISTOKY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 



ter another, with great gravity and profound silence ; and every 
one of them, as he passed the officer, took his gun from his should- 
er, and fired into the ground near the officer's foot : They marched 
in this manner three or four miles from their Castle. The women 
on these occasions follow them with their old clothes, and they 
send back by them their finery in which they marched from the 
Castle." 

The ruins of old Fort Hunter were torn down at the beginning 
of the Revolution, and the chapel enclosed by heavy palisades. 
In the corners of the yard were small block houses mounting can- 
non. This place, which continued to be called Fort Hunter, was 
garrisoned in the latter part of the war, and Capt. Tremper, from 
below Albany, was its commandant. The chapel was torn down 
about the year 1820, to make room for the Erie canal. 




QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL PARSONAGE. 

Queen Anne's chapel was early provided with a small bell, ' 
which is now in use on the Academy in Johnstown. A glebe or 
farm of three hundred acres of good land was attached to it, 
which was conveyed at some period by the natives to Dr. Bar- 
clay, and by him to the society alluded to, on their reimbursing 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 135 

him moneys expended upon if. The parsonage house, said to have 
been built about the time the chapel was, is still standing in Flo- 
rida, half a mile below the Schoharie, and a few rods south of 
the canal, from which it is visible. It is a stone building, some 
twenty-five by thirty-five feet on the ground, two stories high, 
.with a quadrangular roof, presents a very ancient appearance, 
and is possibly the oldest house west of Schenectada in the Mo- 
hawk valley. The chapel farm was disposed of some years ago, 
and part of the proceeds, nearly fifteen hundred dollars, were laid 
out in erecting the Episcopal Church at Port Jackson, in the 
same town ; and the residue, an equal sum, invested in the Epis- 
copal Church of Johnstown. — Spafford's Gazetteer, Peter Put- 
man, J. L. Groat, A. J. Comrie, and others. 

The chapel parsonage at Fort Hunter, is now owned and oc- 
cupied by Nicholas Reese. The last occupant under the patron- 
age of the Missionary Society, was the Rev. John Stuart, who 
was officiating there at the beginning of the revolution. He re- 
moved, with the Indians under his charge, to Canada — they choos- 
ing to follow the fortunes of the Johnsons and Butlers. I have 
in my possession a bill of sale from Mr. Stuart to John Conyn, 
who returned to the Mohawk after the revolution, of a male slave 
called Tom Doe, who went from Fort Hunter with his master to 
Canada. The sale was for $275 in specie, and was dated at 
Montreal, November 19, 1783. At the close of the war, Mr. 
Stuart settled on Grand river, and resumed his ministerial labors. 

In 1720, Captain Scott took a patent for the lands extending 
from Aurie's creek to the Yates and Fonda line, near the present 
village of Fultonville. Aurie is the Dutch of Aaron, and the 
creek was so called after an old Indian warrior named Aaron, 
vt^ho lived many years in a hut which stood on the flats now 
owned by J. C. Yost, on the east side of the creek. The adjoin- 
ing village was named after the stream. 

Early in the eighteenth century, three brothers named Quack- 
enboss emigrated from Holland to the colony of New York ; one 
of them locating at New York city, and the other ttvo at Albany. 
Peter, one of the latter, settled on Scott's patent, only two or 



136 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

three years after it was secured. He resided near Aurie's creek 
at the now Leslie Voorhees' place. Mr. Quackenboss had several 
children grown up when he arrived in the country, and David, 
his elder son, after a somewhat romantic courtship, married Miss 
Ann, a daughter of Captain Scott, and settled on Scott's Patent, 
where the Montgomery county poor house now stands. A young 
officer under the command of Captain Scott, requested young 
Quackenboss, then in the employ of the captain, to speak a good 
word for him to Miss Ann, which he readily promised to do. 
While extolling the good qualities of her admirer, he took occa- 
sion to suggest his partiality for herself. The maiden, who had 
conceived an attachment for Quackenboss instead of the young 
subaltern, shrewedly asked him why he did not make advances 
on his own account. He had not presumed on so advantageous 
a match; but the hint was sufficient to secure his fortune and 
happiness. His son John, a fruit of this connection, born about the 
year 1725, was the first white child born on the south side of the 
Mohawk — west of Fort Hunter, and east of the German settle- 
ments some distance above. Captain Scott had one son who be- 
came a general officer. — John Scott Quackenloss. 

About the year 1740, a small colony consisting of sixteen 
families of Irish immigrants was planted, under the patronage of 
Wm. Johnson, afterwards baronet, on lands now owned by 
Henry Shelp, a few miles south-west of Fort Hunter, in the pre- 
sent town of Glen. Several years after they had built them- 
selves rude dwellings, cleared lands, planted orchards, and com- 
menced their agricultural labors, a disturbance arose between the 
Indian Confederacy of New York and the Canadian Indians, 
which the colonists conceived endangered their domestic tranquili- 
ty ; in consequence of which the settlement was broken up, and 
the chicken-hearted pioneers, then numbering eighteen or twenty 
families, returned to the Emerald Isle. Traces of their residence 
are visible at the present day. — John Hughes and Peter Putman. 

The first merchant in the Mohawk valley west of Schenectada, 
was Maj. Jelles (Giles) Fonda, a son of Douw Fonda, an early 
settler at Caughnawaga. For many years he carried on an ex- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 137 

tensive business for the times, at the latter place — trading with 
the white citizens of the valley, and the natives of western New 
York ; the latter trade being carried on at old Fort Schuyler, now 
Utica; Fort Stanwix, (called in the revolution Fort Schuyler,) 
now Rome, and Forts Oswego, Niagara and Schlosser. An ab- 
stract from his ledsfer shows an indebtedness of his customers at 
one time just before the revolution, amounting to over ten thou- 
sand dollars. Many of his good he imported directly from Lon- 
don. To his Indian customers he sold blankets, trinkets, ammu- 
nition and rum ; and received in return, peltries and ginseng root. 
The latter was at that time an important item among the ex- 
ports of what was then, Western New York ; and the two named 
added to the article of pot-ash, almost the only commodities pur- 
chased in a foreign market. 

The following anecdote is believed to be true. In the employ 
of Sir William Johnson a few years before his death, was an 
Irishman named McCarthy, by reputation the most noted pugil- 
ist in Western New York. The baronet offered to pit his fellow 
countryman against any man who could be produced for a fist fight. 
Major Fonda, tired of hearing the challenge, and learning that 
a very muscular Dutchman named John Van Loan, was living 
near Brakabeen, in the Schoharie valley, made a journey of some 
forty or fifty miles, to secure his 'professional sevices, for he, too, 
was reputed a bully. Van Loan readily agreed to flog the son 
of Erin, for a ten pound note. At a time appointed, numbers 
were assembled at Cauo;hnawao;a to witness the contest between 
the pugilists. After McCarthy had been swaggering about in the 
crowed for a while, and greatly excited public expectation by 
his boasting, inducing numbers to bet on his head, his competi- 
tor appeared ready for the contest — clad for the occasion in a 
shirt and breeches of dressed deer-skin fitted tight to his person. 
A ring was formed and the battle commenced. The bully did 
his best, but it was soon evident that he was not a match for his 
Dutch adversary, who slipped through his fingers like an eel, 
and parried his blows with the greatest ease. Completely ex- 
hausted and almost bruised to a jelly. Sir William's gamester was 



138 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

removed, looking if not expressing — peccavi. — Ahraham A. Van 
Home, who obtained the facts from a son of Van Loan. 

I have spoken in the preceding chaper, of the custom of pro- 
viding refreshments at funerals ; a practice which continued in 
vogue in some degree for at least one hundred years, and until 
about the year 1825. Smoking was an attendant on the prevail- 
ing habit, as the following order from Col. Dl. Claus, will show. 

" Sir — I have sent the bearer for four dozen of Pipes and a 
few pounds of Tobacco, for the burial of Mr. Raworth's child 
wh please to charge to me. 

" Monday, 27th Aug., 1770. D. CLAUS." 

" To Maj'rJelles Fonda." 

The trade with the Indians along the Great Lakes and 
the St. Lawrence, was carried on by the aid of boats propelled 
from Schenectada up the Mohawk at great personal labor, in con- 
sequence of their being several rifts or rapids in the stream. 
The first obstruction of the, kind was met with six miles above 
Schenectada, and was called Six Flats' rift; proceeding west 
came in course similar obstructions known as Fort Hunter rift ; 
Caughnatvaga rift ; Keator''s rift, at Spraker's, the greatest on 
the river, having a fall of ten feet ; Brandywine rift, at Cana- 
joharie, short but rapid ; EhWs rift near Fort Plain ; Kneiskeni's 
rift, a small rapid near the upper Indian castle, a little above the 
river dam; sind the Little falls*, so called as compared with the 
Cahoes on the same stream near its mouth. At the Little Falls, 
a descent in the river of forty feet in half a mile, boats could not 
be forced up the current, and it became a carrying place for 
them and merchandise, which were transported around the rapids 
on wagons with small wide rimmed wheels, the water craft re- 

• The village of Little Falls, so romantically situated on the Mohawk, al- 
ready has a population numbering some three thousand inhabitants, and is 
rapidly increasing. It seems destined to become the largest place between 
Albany and Utica in the Mohawk valley. A manufactory for woolen goods 
has recently been erected here, and an academy, a large stone edifice, con- 
structed of masive granite from the vicinity, recently completed, was opened 
in November, 1844, with a male and female department : the former under 
the charge of Merrit G. McKoon, A. M., and the latter under the superin- 
^endaace of Miss Amanda Hodgeman, a young lady of real merit. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 139 

launched and and re-loaded to proceed onward. On such occa- 
sions one of the party usually staid with the goods deposited 
above, while the team returned for the boat. Small batteaus, 
known in early times as three-handed and four-handed boats, were 
in use on the Mohawk, which carried from two to five tons each; 
and so called because three or four men were required to propel 
them. There boats were forced over the rapids in the river with 
poles and ropes, the latter drawn by men on the shore. Such 
was the mode of transporting merchandize and Indian commodi- 
ties to and from the west, for a period of about fifty years, and until 
after the Revolution. A second carrying place in use at an early 
day was near Fort Stanwix, from the boatable waters of the 
Mohawk to Wood creek. Passing into Oneida lake, the batteaus 
proceeded into the Oswego river, and from thence to Oswego on 
lake Ontario. From Oswego to Niagara, a place of much im- 
portance, merchandize was transported in the same boats or on 
sloops. Major Fonda, as his papers show, had much to do with 
the navigation of the river in the French and American wars with 
England. — Joseph Spraker. 

After the Revolution, the tide of emigration was " Westward 
Ho ! " and a corporate body, known as the " Inland Lock Navi- 
gation Company," constructed a dam and sluice to facilitate busi- 
ness at Wood creek, and built several locks at Little Falls, so that 
boats might pass and repass without unloading. These locks were 
constructed under the supervision and direction of Gen. Philip 
Schuyler, whose memory, for services rendered his country in her 
most trying period, will ever be held in grateful remembrance by 
the citizens of New York. The locks at Little Falls were com- 
pleted in 1795. The following original paper, given by Gen. 
Schuyler to a namesake, and son of the Rev. Mr. Schuyler, of 
Schoharie, will show at what time the business was most actively 
prosecuted. 

To Mr. Philip Schtjylek : 

" By virtue of the powers vested in me by the directors of the 
Inland Lock Navigation Companies in this state, I do hereby ap- 
point you an Assistant Superintendent, to superintend, direct and 



140 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

command the mechanics and labourers, and their respective over- 
seers, already employed in the service of the said companies, 
hereby requiring the said overseers, and others so employed, in 
all things to pay due obedience to all your lawful requisitions and 
directions. 

" Given under my hand, in the county of Herkimer, this eighth 
day of May, 1793. 

"PH: SCHUYLER, 

^'■President and Superintendent.'''' 

In June following, Gen. S. gave his namesake the annexed ve- 
ry flattering testimonial, which shows the usual caution of that 
great man in guarding against accidents : 

Falls, Jime 22, 1793. 
"Dear Sir : — I experience so much satisfaction from your at- 
tention, and the readiness with which you comprehend the hints 
given by me for the construction of the works, that I consider it 
as a duty to give you this written testimony of my perfect satis- 
faction of your conduct, and to evince my sense of it by a pecuni- 
ary reward. Your compensation, from the original time of agree- 
ment, will be two dollars per day ; this, however, I do not wish you 
to mention, least others should conceive that I made a discrimina- 
tion unfavorable to them, although in reality I do not, for their ser- 
vices are by no means as important to the Lock Navigation Com- 
pany as yours. 

" Least an accident should happen to me, which might deprive 
you of the benefit of the above mentioned allowance, you will 
keep this letter as a testimony thereof. 
" I am. Dear Sir, 

" Your friend and humble servant, 

"PH: SCHUYLER, 
" Preside7it of the Board of Directors. 
" To Mr. Philip Schuyler." 

After the locks were built at Little Falls, business on the river 
greatly increased, and apples and cider were then among the com-^ 
modities sent west. The clumsy batteau, which had for half a 
century usurped the place of the Indian's bark canoe, — the little 
craft which had danced on the bosom of the Mohawks' river for 
many ages, — soon gave place to the Durham boat, carrying from 
ten to fifteen tons, and constructed, in shape, not unlike a modem 
canal boat. Few of them were decked over, except at the ends, 
but all were along the sides, where cleets were nailed down to give 
foothold to boatmen using poles. Boating, at this period was at- 
tended with great personal labor : the delay of unloading at Lit- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 141 

tie Falls had been obviated, but it was found more difficult to force 
large than small craft over the rapids. Several boats usually went 
in company, and if any arrived first at a rift, they awaited the ap- 
proach of others, that the united strength of many men might aid 
in the labor before them. Those boats were often half a day in 
proceeding only a few rods, and not unfrequently were they, after 
remaining nearly stationary on a rapid for an hour, when the 
strength of numbers was united with poles and ropes in propel- 
ling, compelled to drop below the rift and get a new start. Twen- 
ty hands, at times, were insufficient to propel a single boat over 
Keator's rift. When boat's crews were waiting at a rapid for the 
arrival of their fellows, they usually did their cooking on shore. 
Poles used on those boats had heads, which rested against the 
shoulder, which was often calloused or galled, like that of a col- 
lar-worn horse. Black slaves, owned by settlers in the neigh- 
borhood of rapids, both male and female, were often seen assist- 
ing at the ropes on shore, when loaded boats were ascending the 
river. 

Accidents sometimes occm-red to boatmen, though seldom at- 
tended with loss of life. A three-handed boat once struck a rock 
in Keator's rift, upset, and a negro was drowned. At Fort Hun- 
ter rift, a three handed boat upset, when Wm. Hull and Kennedy 
FaiUng were drowned, — the third person in the boat, a son of 
Abraham Otthout, of Schenectada, swam ashore. One of the 
last accidents of the kind on the river, occurred while the Erie 
Canal was building, to a Durham boat, one of the best of that 
class of river craft, called the Butterfly. It w^as descending the 
river, then swollen, laden with flour, when it became unmanage- 
able, swung round, and struck its broadside against a pier of the 
Canajoharie bridge, and broke near the centre. The contents of 
the boat literally filled the river for some distance, and a hand on 
the boat was drowned. His name was afterwards ascertained to 
be John Clark. His body was recovered twelve miles below, and 
was buried on the river bank, in the present village of Fulton- 
ville. His bones having been disclosed by the spring freshet of 
1845, they were taken up and buried in the village burying- 



142 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ground. The owner of the boat, a Mr. Myers, had its fragments 
taken to Schenectada and rebuilt, after which it entered the ca- 
nal, (the eastern sections being completed,) and from thence he 
transported it into Cayuga lake. "While there engaged, his boat 
sunk laden with gypsum, and he was drowned. Thus ended the 
Butterfly and its owner. Boats managed by skilful hands some- 
times sailed down the rapids at Little Falls when the river was 
high, but it was always attended with danger. Several row-boats, 
constructed expressly to carry some twenty passengers each, from 
Utica to Schenectada, and tastefully curtained, were in use on the 
Mohawk some forty years ago. They were called river packets. — 
Myndert Starin. 

The first bridge of any importance in the Mohawk valley, was 
built by Maj. Isaiah Depuy, a resident of Glen at the time of his 
death (1841), and was erected across the Schoharie at Fort Hun- 
ter. It was commenced in October, 1796, and on the 4th day of 
July following, the anniversary of Liberty was celebrated upon it. 
The next bridge worthy of note in the valley, was an elliptic or 
arched one over the Mohawk at Schenectada. It was begun in 
1797, and when nearly completed, the winter following, was up- 
set by the wind, taken down, and rebuilt on piers. While this 
bridge was building, an incident of no little interest occurred. Af- 
ter the string pieces had been laid, and before they were planked, 
a young son of the contractor walked unobserved over the middle 
of the stream. A workman discovering the urchin upon the tim- 
bers, directed the attention of the father that way. With feelings 
of deepest anxiety he beheld his darling boy in a position from 
which a misstep would inevitably launch him into eternity. Pru- 
dence dictated silence, and after the little fellow had surveyed the 
premises to his satisfaction, he returned to the shore, to the great 
relief of his agitated parent, who gave him a good basting for his 
motherly curiosity. 

A bridge was begun at Canajoharie before the Schenectada 
bridge was completed. This was also an elliptic, and required to 
be taken down at the end of a year or two, when it was placed 
on three piers. Some years previous to the erection of this bridge, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 143 

a ferry was established at Canajoharie, and owned by the Messrs. 
Roseboom, who traded where the ferry was located, one mile east 
of the village. At an early period, a good bridge was built over 
the east Canada creek, which afforded a pattern for one construct- 
ed at Caughnawaga — where, for many years, there had also been 
a ferry. The last mentioned bridge was put up in the summer 
and completed by the following winter, so as to be used on one 
track, but the first spring freshet carried it off. Afterwards, the 
Mohawk Turnpike Company erected another, some thirty rods 
farther up the river, which is still standing. A bridge was stretched 
across the river many years ago, a little below the Nose, but it 
was soon after swept away by the ice and never rebuilt. Bridges 
have also been erected over the Mohawk at Cahoes Falls, Am- 
sterdam, Fort Plain, Little Falls, Herkimer and Utica. 

Archibald and James Kane, brothers, established themselves in 
the mercantile business on the Mohawk about the year 1795 ; lo- 
cating between the Rosebooms and the present village of Cana- 
joharie, where one of their buildings, having an arched roof, is 
still to be seen. The Kanes were, for a time, the heaviest deal- 
ers west of Albany. At this period there was much gambhng 
and horse-racing in the Mohawk valley. Indeed, there continued 
to be until about the year 1825. Intemperance, the parent of 
many vices and miseries, was an attendant, and to such an extent 
did it stalk abroad for thirty or forty years, that numerous churches 
were seriously affected by it, their ministers often setting the ex- 
ample, then prevalent in New York and New England, not only 
of placing the headed liquid before friends, but of drinking with 
them at taverns. On a certain occasion in 1797 or '98, when a 
party were playing cards (a game of lieu) at Canajoharie, with 
stakes upon the table amounting to some five hundred dollars, 
Archibald Kane became indebted to Barney Roseboom for nearly 
one hundred dollars, and another of the gamesters becoming the 
debtor of Kane for about the same sum, a difficulty originated in 
trying to reconcile the liability of the parties to each other, and 
Kane gave Roseboom a challenge to personal combat. It was 
supposed that the challenge would not have been given, had the 



144 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

challenger believed his antagonist would have accepted it, the lat- 
ter having a lovely wife and several interesting children ; but it 
was accepted, ground paced off, and shots exchanged with a brace 
of trooper's pistols. Kane was wounded in his left arm, and 
with the wound his bruised honor was healed ; the combatants be- 
came as warm personal friends as ever, and thus ended an affair 
which created no little excitement for a time, in Western New 
York. A few years after the transaction above related, Archibald 
Kane went to Hayti, |married into the family of the governing 
nobility, and died there. 

A pleasing story was originated when the Kanes were trading 
at Canajoharie, about an imposition practised by a shrewd Yan- 
kee, upon an honest Dutch justice of Herkimer county, who had 
arrested him for journeying on the Sabbath. According to the 
story, the Yankee was stopped, but • as his business was urgent, 
the man of equity agreed to give him a written permit to proceed 
for a nominal sura. The justice, requesting the traveler to write 
it, is said to have set his hand unconsciously to an order on the 
Messrs. Kane for some fifty dollars, instead of a permit to travel ; 
which, when presented for payment, he pronounced the tarn Yan- 
kee pass : but James Kane, who now resides in Albany, pronoun- 
ces the whole narrative a hoax. 

The Caughnawaga church, a land mark of former days, is a 
stone edifice, and was erected in 1763, by voluntary contribu- 
tions. Sir William Johnson gave liberally towards building it. 
The steeple was placed on it in 1795. Of this church and con- 
gregation, the Rev. Thomas Romeyn was the first pastor. He 
died, and was succeeded in June, 1795, by the Rev. Abraham 
Van Horn, one of the earliest graduates of Queen's College, New 
Jersey. Mr. V. H. was settled in Ulster county five years previ- 
ous to taking charge of the congregation at Caughnawaga, and 
married, during his whole ministry, about ffteen hundred cou- 
ple — more, perhaps, than any clergyman now living in the Unit- 
ed States. He died suddenly at an advanced age, January 5, 
1840. 

This church was without a bell until the confiscated property 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



145 



of Sir John Johnson was sold in the revolution, when the former 
dinner-bell of his father, Sir William, was purchased by several 
male members, conveyed to it on a pole by friendly Indians, and 
placed upon it. On the bell is the following inscription — " S R 
William Johnson Baronet 1774 Made by Miller and Ross in 
Eliz. Town." It weighs something over one hundred pounds. 




CAUGHNAWAGA CHURCH. 

This edifice, now under the management of the Rev. Douw 
Van OLinda, who has fitted it up for a classic school, is hereafter 
to be known as the Fonda Academy; the first term of which in- 
stitution commenced with flattering prospects in the latter part of 
1844, under the tuition of Mr. Jacob A. Hardenbergh, a gradu- 
ate of Rutger's College, New Jersey. 

At an early period, a small church was constructed of wood 



146 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

near the Upper Mohawk Castle, at which place the missionary 
minister, resident at Fort Hunter, sometimes officiated. This 
church was provided with a small bell, similar to the one on 
Queen Anne's chapel, and after the revolution, the Indians who 
had removed from its neighborhood, made application to obtain it. 
Being denied their request, they succeeded in getting it down in 
the night ; and in a canoe paddled up the Mohawk with it un- 
molested — transporting it as best they could to Canada. — Joseph 
Wagner. 

Churches were erected by Lutherans at Stone Arabia in 1770, 
in the western part of Palatine in 1772, and at the German flats 
before the revolution. The two latter were of stone. The last 
named was situated in the valley, on the south side of the river, 
four miles westward of Little Falls. Some ten rods west of this 
church stood the parso7iage, a stone dwelhng (torn down to give 
place to the Erie canal) which was inclosed with palisades hav- 
ing block-house corners, and known in the revolution as Fort 
Herkimer.* Fort Dayton, another military post of the Mohawk 
valley, was situated in the western part of the present village of 
Herkimer. In going from the former to the latter fort, the rivef 
was crossed at a rapid one mile above Fort Herkimer. Fort 
Plain, a military establishment of great importance in the border 
transactions of the Mohawk valley, stood eighteen miles eastward 
of Fort Herkimer, and within the present thriving village which 
bears its name. Forts Plain, Herkimer and Dayton were all three 
erected as early as 1776, and in their vicinity many thrilling 
events transpired, which characterised the war of the revolution 
on the frontiers of New York ; not a few of which have gone 
down to oblivion. 

There was much speculation in new lands in the interior of 
New York, between the French and American wars with Eng- 
land, and thousands upon thousands of acres changed owners for 
a mere song — land now valued at millions of dollars. Among 

• Some writers have stated that Fort Herkimer stood near General Herki- 
mer's house — not so : although called after him, it was six miles westward of 
his residence. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



147 



the speculators were Sir William Johnson, Governor Tryon, Ma- 
jor Jelles Fonda, and Colonel John Butler. Lands on the Sacon- 
daga river were brought into market at this period. 




FORT PLAIN. 

Above is a view of this Fort as it was seen in the revolution, 
except that it was inclosed by strong palisades. The httle church 
seen in the right of the picture, was burned down by the Indians 
during the war. 

The following sketch of a transaction not generally known, is 
no doubt the most authentic account of it ever obtained. It is 
drawn, by permission, from notes of a journey to Niagara, made 
by a friend in 1806. 

In the summer of 1759, Sir William Johnson landed with a bo- 
dy of troops at the mouth of a creek four miles from Niagara, 
since called Johnson's creek, and took possession of forts Niagara 
and Schlosser, posts of much importance, on the east side of Nia- 
gara river, as they commanded the trade of the upper lakes. In 
1760, Mr. Stedman, an Englishman, contracted with Sir William 
to construct a portage road from Queenston Landing, now Lewis- 
ton, to Fort Schl9sser, a distance of about eight miles. The road 
having been completed, on the morning of the 17th Sept, 1763, 15 
wagons and teams, mostly oxen, under an escort of 24 men, com- 
manded by a sergeant, and accompanied by the contractor, Sted- 
man, and Capt. Johnson, as a volunteer, set out from Fort Niagara, 



148 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

with stores, &c., intended for the garrison at Fort Schlosser. Arri- 
ving something over two miles from the top of the mountain above 
Lewiston, and ten or twelve from Niagara, the escort and wagons 
halted about 11 o'clock, on a little savanna of green sward to rest 
and take refreshments, beside a gulf called in Indian and English, 
the DeviPs Hole. This is a semi-circular precipice or chasm of 
some two hundred feet diameter up and down the river on the 
summit, but less at the bottom. A little distance from the brink 
of the hole is a kind of natural mound, several feet in height, al- 
so of cresent shape ; and sixty feet from the top issues a fine 
spring, which dashes down through the underbrush to the river. 
A small brook in the neighborhood, called the bloody-run, now 
runs into the chasm. The Seneca Indians continued in the French 
interest at this period, and fearing a hostile movement on their part, 
a detachment of volunteers consisting of one hundred and thirty 
men, uuder the command of Capt. Campbell, marched from 
Queenston to strengthen the escort. Just as the troops under 
Capt. C. reached the spot where the escort had halted, about five 
hundred Indians, who had been concealed behind the mound, 
sprang from their covert with savage yells, and like so many ti- 
gers began an indiscriminate slaughter of the troops, who were 
thrown into the utmost confusion. Resistance against such odds 
did not long continue, and those of the party who were not killed 
or driven from the precipice with their teams, attempted their es- 
cape by flight. In the midst of the conflict, Stedman sprang up- 
on a small horse, and giving the faithful animal a slap on the 
neck with his hand, it bore him over the dead and dying, and 
through the thick ranks of the foe, who discharged their rifles, 
and hurled their tomahawks in vain at his head. 

Of those who jumped directly down the precipice in front, some 
seventy or eighty feet, which has an uneven surface below, only 
one escaped with life. This was a soldier named Mathews, from 
whom these particulars were obtained by the tourist. He was then 
living on the Canada shore, near Niagara, and familiarly called 
Old Brittania. Several trees were growing from the bottom of 
the hole, the tops of which reached near the surface of the ground. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 149 

Into one of these trees Corporal Noble leaped and hung, in which 
position eleven bullets riddled his body. Captain Johnson, of the 
escort, was killed, and Lieut. Duncan, of the relief, a native of 
Long Island, and a promising young officer, was wounded in the 
left arm, of which he died. The whole number of troops and 
teamsters was about one hundred and seventy-five, of this number 
only some twenty-five escaped with life, and all of them, except 
Stedman and Mathews, did so below or near the north end of the 
hole, at a little sand ridge, which served to break the fall. Of 
Capt. Campbell's command, only eleven escaped with life. The 
loss of the enemy was inconsiderable compared with that of 
the British. A short time after this horrid affair, the Indians, 
who considered Stedman a charmed man, gave him as a reward for 
his daring feat, a large tract of land, which embraced all that he 
rode over in his previous flight. He returned to England, taking 
along this favorite horse, and never afterwards would he allow it 
to be saddled or harnessed. 

My friend T., in whose journal I find the above facts, first visit- 
ed the Devil's Hole, with a relative, August 10th, 1806, at which 
time he entered it by descending a tree, to search for evidences of 
the event related. In the bottom of the chasm he found the sculls 
of several oxen " mouldering and covered with moss," a piece of 
a wagon, and the small part of a horn ; which latter relic he took 
from the place, and after retaining it in his possession thirty-eight 
years, kindly presented to the author. 

The close of the French war left the colony of New York 
deeply in debt, and resort was had to direct taxation to sustain the 
government. The assessment was levied "By virtue of three acts 
of General Assembly of the Colony of New York ; the first for 
the payment of the second .£100,000 tax, the second for the pay- 
ment of the .£60,000 tax, and the third, for the raising and col- 
lecting the arrears of several acts therein mentioned." The com- 
missioners of the county, who set their hands and seals to the war- 
rant sent "Mr. John Fonda, Collector for Mohawks," were 
" Rens. Nicoll, Marte Halenbeck, Abraham Douw, and Cornells 
Van Schaack." The warrant was dated at Albany, July 17th, 

11 



150 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY 



1764. The tax on the citizens of the Mohawk valley amounted 
to ^6242, 17 6—1607 19, and was collected, except $2 81 bad 
debts, and receipted by John Stevenson, in Albany, the 11th of 
October following. Were not part of this tax list gone, I would 
present it to the reader. The following are some of the largest 
sums taxed to individuals on the portions of the manuscript re- 
maining : 





Valuation. 


Assess. 






Valuation. 


Assess 




Sir Wm. Johnson, 


£167 


£20 17 


6 


Peter Young, 


£13 


£1 12 


6 


Margrit Flipse, 


24 


3 00 





John Nukerk, 


13 


1 12 


6 


Marte Van OLinda, 21 


2 12 


6 


Hans Klyn, 


13 


1 12 


6 


Lewis Groat, 


20 


2 10 





Daniel Clas, 


10 


1 5 





Davit Pruyn, 


20 


2 10 





Guy Johnson, 


10 


1 5 





Isaac D. Graf, 


18 


2 5 





John Have, 


10 


1 5 





Hans Antes, 


17 


2 2 


6 


Jacob Potman, 


10 


1 5 





James McMaster, 


16 


2 





CJas D. Graf, 


9 


1 2 


6 


Harme Vedder, 


16 


2 





Harmanis Mahe, 


9 


1 2 


6 


Wouter Swart, 


16 


2 





Cor's Potman, 


9 


1 2 


6 


John Johnson, 


16 


2 





Cor's Nukerk, 


9 


1 2 


6 



The following tax list will show the names of many of the ci- 
tizens living in and near that part of the Mohawk valley now 
embraced in Montgomery county, and their comparative wealth 
at that period. The manuscript, which has been preserved among 
the papers of the late Maj. Fonda, is without date: it is written 
in a fair, legible hand, and must have been executed a few years 
prior to the revolution. 

" A List of the persons that arc assessed above jive 'pounds, with 
the sums they are to pay, and the number of days they are to work 
upon the King's highways, annexed. 



PERSONS NAMES. 



O" 



I« 


o 


in 


> 






< 


rn 




>, 


OS 


CS 


D 


q 


CI 




s 




< 


iz; 



PERSONS NAMES. 







J^ 














(S 




^ 


o 


< 


m 








a 


05 

a 


Q 




< 


o 
15 



John Eleven, 
Abraham Hodges, 
John & Evert Van Eps, 
Wm. & Woulter Swart, 
Martinus Van OLinda, 
Mary Phillipse, 
Abraham Phillipse, 
"William Allen, 
John Souts, 



£ 6 


si 


(16 


4 


10 


1 


6 


4 


15 


3 





5 


10 


1 


6 


4 


17 


3 




5 


17 


3 




5 


6 


1 


6 


4 


15 


3 




5 


6 


1 


6 


4 



Christian Earnest, 
John Waters, 
Christopher McGraw, 
James Phillipse, 
William Snook, 
Samuel Pettingall, 
Patrick McConnelly, 
John Van Dewake, 
Peter Young, 



£13 


s3 


d 


12 


3 




9 




6 


10 




6 


8 




6 


8 




6 


8 




6 


10 




6 


10 




6 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



151 



PERSON'S NAMES. 



C? 





,^' 






o 






^ 


< 


CO 




t^ 


UJ 


a 




« 


< 


o 
fe5 



PERSONS NAMES. 





ID 








<v 






eS 












3 




C^ 


s 




13 




a 




< 



Jacobus Cromwell, 
Andrew Frank, 
Abraham Van Alstine, 
Crownidge Kincade, 
John S. Vrooman, 
Adam Sternbergh, 
Henry and John Lewis, 
Abraham Yates, 
David and Peter Lewis, 
Hendrick Divindorf, 
David Potman, 
Lips Spinner, 
Samuel Rose, 
Hendrick Hoff, 
Adam Gardeneer, 
Arent Bradt, 
Adam Dagstader, Sen. 
Fredrick Dagstader, Sen 
Hendrick Dagstader, Sr. 
John Bowen, 
William B. Bowen, 
John V. Potman, 
John Butler, Esq., 
John Nare, 
John and Jacob Kilts, 
Conradt Linkefelter, 
Arent Potman, 
Sir Wm. Johnson, Bart. 
Sir John Johnson, Kt., 
Col. Daniel Claus, 
Col. Guy Johnson, 
Frederick Degraff, 
Nicholas Degraff, 
I. Degraff &, son Jer'h, 
Lewis Groat, 
Jacob Bushart, 
Hendrick Bushart, 
Adam Fonda, 
Peter Whitmore, 
John &• Conradt Smith, 
Guysbert & Garret Van 

Brachler, 
James Davis, 
Peter Frederick & sons, 
John Wilson, 
J. Rupart & Lottridge, 
Peter Service, 
Hans Albrant, 
Andries Snyder, 
Hans Doren, 
Philip Cromwell, 
Volkert Veeder, 
Widow Smith and sons, 
John V. Veeder, 



15 
16 

18 

10 

7 

15 

6 

20 

10 

7 

15 

15 

10 

10 

13 

13 

18 

20 

20 

7 

6 

7 

27 

12 

20 

11 

7 

202 

25 

2J 

21 

6 

6 

13 

16 

7 

7 

9 

6 

6 

6 

6 
12 

7 

8 
18 

7 

8 

7 
17 

6 

17 
27 



5 Timothy Lenderse, 
5 Charles H. Van Eps, 
5 Peter Jost, 
4 Philip Phillipse, 

4 Jacob Van Dewarke, 

5 John Everse, 

4 Malkert Van Duesar, 

5 Mrs. Sophia Denniston, 

4 Capt. Norm'd McLead, 

5 Widow Vrooman &. son, 
5 Dow Fonda, 
5 John Funda, 
4 Jelles Funda, 

4 Barent B. Wemple, 

5 Gilbert Tice, 
5 Peter Cooley 
5 Samson Simens, 

5 John Wemple, 
4 Andries Wemple, 
4 Peter Conyn, Esq., 
4 Harman Visher, 

4 Hanse Clement, 

6 Lewis Clement, 

5 Michael Staller, 
5 Daniel McGregor, 

5 Philip Weamer, 
4 Baltus Ergetsinger, 
9 Robert Adams, 
61 Martin Lessler, 

6 Frans Salts, 
6 Hanse Ciyne, 
4 Jacob Potman, 

4 Cornelius Potman, 
6 Harmanus Meaby, 

5 Garrent C. Newkirk, 
4 John Newkirk, 
4 Peter Martin, Esq., 
4 Isaac Collier, 
4 Adam Zeelie, 
4 Ephraim Wemple, 

Barent Hansen, 
4 Hendrick Hansen, 

4 Abraham Quackenbush, 

5 Jeremiah Quackenbush, 
4 N. & P. Quackenbush, 

4 Vincent Quackenbush, 

5 Ab'm Quackenbush, 
4 John Malatt, 

4| Samuel Gardeneer, 

4 Jacob Gardeneer, 

5 William Schylder, 
4 Hans Wart, 

4 
6 



15 o 


15 3 


6 1 6 


13 3 


9 1 6 


7 1 6 


12 3 


6 1 6 


6 1 6 


6 1 6 


16 3 


6 1 6 


40 9 


8 1 6 


6 1 6 


7 1 6 


15 3 


6 1 6 


6 1 6 


30 5 


27 5 


8 1 6 


14 3 


10 1 6 


10 1 6 


6 1 6 


8 1 6 


14 3 


10 1 6 


15 S 


12 3 


9 1 6 


10 1 6 


8 1 6 


8 1 6 


10 1 6 


13 3 


10 1 6 


13 3 


13 3 


7 1 6 


7 1 6 


8 1 6 


11 3 


10 1 6 


6 1 6 


7 1 6 


8 1 6 


18 3 


12 3 


6 1 6 


7 1 6 



Total Assess. X14I11I 61555 



152 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

I have observed that RUM was one of the principal articles of 
traffic with the Indians on the frontiers of New York. Says Col- 
den — 

" There is one vice which the Indians have all fallen into, since 
their acquaintance with the Christians, and of which they could not 
be guilty before that time, that is drunkenness. It is strange, how 
all the Indian nations, and almost every person among them, male 
and female, are infatuated with the love of strong drink ; they 
know no bounds to their desire, while they can swallow it down, 
and then indeed the greatest man among them scarcely deserves 
the name of a brute." 

Alcohol has, in a very great degree depopulated the state of a 
noble race of men and women, and much demoralized and ener- 
vated its present race of inhabitants. One single invoice now be- 
fore me, of rum purchased in New- York, in October 1770, and de- 
signed for the Mohawk valley trade, was for ten hogsheads and 
twenty barrels, containing seventeen hundred and seventy-nine 
gallons ; which, at the low price of two shillings and four pence, 
amounted to over five hundred dollars. 

Tryon county, so called after the Governor of New York at the 
time, was organized in 1772, and took in the present counties of 
Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer and portions of several others. 
The first court of general quarter sessions of the 'peace for this 
county, was held in Johnstown, so called after Sir William John- 
son, on Tuesday September 8, 1772. The Bench consisted of 

" Guy Johnson, Judge. 

" John Butler, Peter Conyne, Judges. 

" Sir John Johnson, knight, Daniel Claus, John Wells, Jelles 
Fonda, Assista?it Judges. 

"John Collins, Joseph Chew, Adam Loucks, John Fry, Fr. 
Young, Peter Ten Broeck, Justices.'''' 

In 1791, the county of Herkimer was organized from Tryon, 
and called after General Herkimer who fell at Oriskany ; and in 
1794 the name of Tryon county was changed to that of Mont- 
gomery, who fell at Quebec. 

About the year 1800, might have been seen, as in New England 
at a still later period, at some public place in every town in New 
York, a public whipping-post and stocks ; and justices of the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 153 

peace had authority to order that individual confined in the stocks, 
who got drunk or used profane language. Criminals guilty of 
petty thefts, and other violations of the law, were not unfrequently 
seen with their hands tied, and their arms drawn up to their ex- 
tent around the public post, which was made square, receiving 
upon their bare backs, from the hands of a sheriff or constable, 
the scorpion lash of justice. 

A few moments may not be unprofitably spent, in reflecting on 
the great and important changes that have passed over New York 
since the peace of 1783 — changes not only visible on every wa- 
ter-course and thoroughfare, but on almost every acre of ground, 
from the then frontier settlements of Albany and Tryon counties 
to the shores of St. Lawrence and the great western lakes. In the 
territory named, and at the period to which I have alluded, where 
were dense forests, unbroken for many miles, may now be seen 
waving fields of grain, and flocks and herds upon a thousand 
hills — may now be heard the complicated machinery of the me- 
chanic arts — may now be felt the genial influence of unfettered 
science. The revolution in mind and individual interest in eastern 
New York, under cultivation two generations removed from the 
present, is almost as apparent as that in matter, where then roam- 
ed the happy savage in quest of his game. The difference in the 
mode of traveling, particulary in the Mohawk valley, in the last 
thirty years, is worthy especial notice. Public conveyance was 
then either in stages or boats propelled on the river by manual la- 
bor ; — rail-road cars, moved by steam power have now not only 
driven post-coaches from the valley, but the commodious canal 
packet drawn by horses, now subserves the purpose of the slow 
moving Durham craft. Indeed, the New England tourist, who 
might then have been seen mounted on horseback, with an enor- 
mous portmanteau fastened upon his saddle, journeying in the 
valley, is seen no longer : his economy is rendered unnecessary 
by the cheapness of the passenger line-boat. 

Extensive manufactories — indeed large cities and villages have 
sprung up as if by enchantment, where but little more than half 
a century ago might have been heard the dismal howl of the 



154 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

wolf; the frightful scream of the panther; or the terrific yell of 
the savage. In fact, little hamlets, in number almost countless, 
with the domes of their seminaries and church spires towering 
aloft, are scattered over the hunting grounds of the mocasined 
Indian ; the site of whose little bark dwelling and intricate foot- 
path, has been usurped by an iron-bound road, or an artificial river. 
Not only has enterprise peopled those portions of New York 
lying west of the frontier settlements at the close of the revolution, 
with a population of one and a half millions of freemen, with an 
estimated valuation of property exceeding $100,000,000, and a 
real one more than five times greater ; but it has thickly popu- 
lated several States west of New York ; and the American Eagle, 
as if undetermined where to alight, is conducting the hardy sons 
of New England and New York toward the shores of the great 
Pacific. Judging from the past and present, what may we rea« 
sonably expect will be the future condition and resources of the 
Empire State ? — resources which now more than equal those of 
the thirteen States, when under British tyranny. 



( 155 ) 



CHAPTER V. 



There were among the early Schoharie settlers, some remarka- 
ble for great personal strength. Cornelius, Samuel, Peter and 
Isaac, sons of Peter Vrooman, are said to have possessed the 
strength of giants. They erected the first saw-mill in the county, 
which stood in dauver-wy, on the little Schoharie kill. Two of 
those brothers could easily carry a good sized log on the carriage. 
Many anecdotes are related by the aged, showing the strength of 
the Vrooman family. At the hill mentioned as the Long-berg, on 
the road to Albany, Cornelius, the strongest of the brothers, al- 
ways made a practice when going to Albany with wheat, to car- 
ry one or two bags, each containing two or three skipples, up 
this hill to favor his horses. Twenty-five skipples was the ordi- 
nary load to Albany, and usually brought fifty cents per skipple. 

Samuel Vrooman is said to have carried at one time, twelve 
skipples of wheat and a harrow with iron teeth, from his father's 
house across a small bridge back of it, and set them down 
in a field. At another time, Cornelius carried ten skipples of 
peas, the same harrow, and a brother on the top of them, the 
same distance : in either case, eight or nine hundred pounds. 

The stout Vroomans had a remarkably strong sister. A quar- 
relsome man being at her father's, warm words passed be- 
tween him and her brother Cornelius, when the sister, fearing the 
consequences, if her kinsman laid hands upon the intruder in an- 
ger, seized him, although a pretty stout man, and pitched him 
neck and heels out of the house. This we may look upon as a 
very charitable act, considering it was done solely to save his fife. 
There were other individuals in Schoharie who, if not as strong 



156 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

as the brothers mentioned, were sufficiently so to protect them- 
selves. Several of the Boucks and Borsts, it is said, could easily 
raise a barrel of cider and drink from the bung-hole. 

Before the revolution, and for some forty years after its close, 
there was much horse-racing and sporting of different kinds in 
the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys. An ox-race once took place 
in Cobelskill. There was also much fair boxing, and many quar- 
rels were settled by personal combat. The settlers sometimes 
played cards for coppers, but seldom for silver. 

About the year 1770, a challenge was given and accepted be- 
tween the people of the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys, to try 
speed and strength. Which gave it, is uncertain. The Mohawk 
champions went to Schoharie at the appointed time, and multi- 
tudes were assembled to witness the strife. A sleigh was placed 
on bare ground, and with twelve heavy men in it, Cornelius Vroo- 
man, by the end of the tongue, drew it one and a half feet. Cor- 
nelius Fonda, the Mohawk bully, attempted, but in vain, to start 
it. On the same day, Adam Crysler ran a foot-race with one 
Dockstader from the Mohawk valley — the former winning the 
race with ease. 

Formerly, almost every country woman, in some parts of Ame- 
rica, was to be seen in certain seasons of the year, at work on a 
farm. It is now very justly determined, that woman'' s place is in 
the house and man's in the field. 

Wheat and poultry were the most important articles of traffic 
taken from Schoharie to Albany, an hundred years ago, which 
was usually done by sleighing. But little grain, except wheat? 
was carried to market for many years by the early settlers : in 
fact, much of that grain was fed their horses by the Germans and 
Dutch. The fondness of the Dutch for good horses, has origi- 
nated a proverb, that " a Dutchman thinks more of his horse 
than his wife." 

In going from the Schoharie and Mohawk valleys, to and from 
Albany, some fifty years ago, the Dutch were in the habit of run- 
ning their horses up a good share of every hill. Starting the 
team as they neared it, they dashed on at a furious rate, thus gain- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 157 

ing an impetus which carried them nearly to the top of the hill, 
arriving at which they often halted to rest or feed. 

It was customary, as already observed, for the people of Scho- 
harie to go to market in squads, and not unfrequently fifteen or 
twenty teams were seen together, some of which were driven by 
the wives and daughters of the farmers, who were of the party. 
The custom yet prevails of their accompanying their husbands, 
fathers and brothers to market ; not, however, in the capacity of 
drivers. Mounted upon the top of a good load of grain, the tidy 
house-wife or neatly clad daughter is often to be seen as a passen- 
ger — or rather as a mortgage on the load, as they are not inaptly 
termed : for she claims some portion of the proceeds to be appro- 
priated to the purchase of a new dress, or such other articles as 
her wardrobe may require. 

Weddings, in the days of which I am speaking, were celebrat- 
ed differently from what they now are. The law then required 
the publishing of the bans three successive times, in a religious 
meeting, before a couple could get married. After the notice had 
been once read, the young friends usually had a dance, and after 
the couple were united, they had several dances. Some good an- 
ecdotes are told of these weddings. Before the revolution, says 
George Warner, a man came from Freehold and married a Miss 
SchaefFer. Her father was rather fastidious about asking some of 
his neighbors, on the score of their not being sufficiently opulent, 
but invited among the guests an Indian friend, and gave him per- 
mission to ask such of his friends as he chose. The Indian, on. 
such an occasion, shows no great respect for persons — indeed, he 
never does unless it be for distinguished prowess, and acknowledg- 
ed personal favors — and the sequel proved he had many friends : 
for when the guests began to assemble, a large part of the Scho- 
harie tribe were there, some with wedding garments on, and others 
with few garments, if any at all on. The dismayed parent was 
not a little perplexed, and in order to get rid of his red guests, he 
freely distributed several gallons of rum, when they pronounced 
the wedding a good one — gave a glorious whoop and retired, to 
the great relief of the family. 



158 HISTOKY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Judge Brown related the following — to use his own words — as 
" a nobleman's wedding j" which took place in his younger days. 
George Henry Stubrach was married to a daughter of John Fre- 
derick Bouck, who lived in the present town of Fulton. In an 
open field near Mr. Bouck's residence, a booth was erected and a 
liberty pole raised. The marriage ceremony took place in the 
early part of the day, and the guests resorted to the booth. On 
such occasions, there was generally some quidnunc present, who 
assumed the responsibilities of a captaincy, to direct the move- 
ments of the joyous company. At the time of which we are 
speaking Nicholas York was the admitted dictator. While all 
were busily engaged in such occupations as their own taste se- 
lected, a circumstance took place which afforded the party an 
unexpected source of amusement. A woodchuck made its ap- 
pearance in a fallow near the booth. Captain York instantly or- 
dered the field surrounded, directing a simultaneous march to the 
centre. The party had not approached to a concussion, before 
the intruder was slain. It was handed over to the captain — 
whose word on such occasions was law. He cut a piece of flesh 
from the warm victim and ate it, requiring all, male and female, 
to follow his example. Most attempted, but few succeeded in 
getting down the dainty morsel. A general " removal of depo- 
sits" was the result of this austere mandate; after which the 
guests again resorted to their chosen occupations. In this jolly 
manner the festivities were continued for three successive days. 
What disposition to make of the guests nights, 1 am at a loss to 
know. On the evening of the third day, the blushing bride was 
taken home to the residence of her husband, in Kneiskern's dorf. 
Two barrels of home brewed beer, twenty-two gallons of rum and 
a proportionate quantity of wine, were the spirits poured down to 
raise the spirits of the party up, on this noted occasion : and it is 
a fact worthy of remark, that all the liquors were quaffed from 
loooden dippers. This wedding took place when it was the fashion 
for ladies to wear short dresses — flowered silk hose — and French- 
heeled slippers, fastened with silver buckles. The large pocket 
made separately and worn loose over the dress, as also the hoof, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 159 

both of which were part of female attire at a later period, may- 
have been in service at the time of this wedding. This brief de- 
scription will serve to give the reader a pretty good idea of the 
manner in which most weddings of consequence were celebrated 
in bygone days. Nearly all the people — old as well as young — 
were then in the habit of dancing on such occasions. Their style, 
perhaps, was not of the most graceful kind. The French steps 
had not then been taught in that beautiful valley. The last wed- 
ding which seventy-two hours were required to complete, is be- 
lieved to have been that of the late Judge Swart, and took place 
in April, 1775. The revolution broke them up, as they could not 
in safety be celebrated then ; and after the war was over, few felt 
as though they could afford to give them — many being under the 
necessity of erecting themselves new dwellings, upon the ashes of 
their old ones. 

Jacob Becker related an anecdote, which shows the faithful 
manner in which those weddings were celebrated. They had in 
Jiis father's family at one time a shoemaker at work, so that a 
brother of his might learn the trade. While he was there, Joseph 
Kneiskern — a widower, was married. Becker's brother George, 
several years older than himself, attended the wedding. As he 
was putting on a new pair of shoes with very thick soles — the 
workmanship of the cobbler, the latter good humor edly told him if 
he danced those soles through, he would put on a new pair for 
nothing. Away went the guest to the wedding, from which he 
returned home on the evening of the third day. He pulled off 
his shoes and threw them to the mechanic, who, on examining, 
found he had been taken at his word — and that not only the 
outer, but the inner soles of both were worn entirely through. 
In those days house-floors in New England and New York, were 
scoured clean, and instead of a carpet, received a coat of fine 
white sand — which will enable the reader to understand how the 
shoes could have been used up. 

It was customary for the groom, after the ordeal of proposing 
the question, to make his intended a present of some kind — usually 
a pair of silver shoe-buckles, sleeve buttons — or snuff-box. 



160 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Whether the modern low-lived and ill-bred custom of celebrating 
weddings in the street, usually termed horning — now in vogue in 
ignorant communities — prevailed before the revolution in Scho- 
harie, I can not say. 

Several black fiddlers were, in their day, noted persons. Jack, 
a slave beloging to Col. Zielie, and another of the same name, 
belongmg to John Lawyer, who, to distinguish them, were 
called Jack Zielie and Jack Lawyer, flourished in their way, 
about the time of the revolution. A frolic could not easily be 
sustained then, unless one of them was present. They played the 
fiddle, holding it in various positions, sometimes before and at 
others behind them. One of the two was formerly represented 
on a tavern sign (painted by George Tiffany, Esq.) as playing for 
a jolly company ; some part of which device is still visible on the 
sign now in the cabinet of John Gebhard, jr., Esq. of Schoharie. 

Dancing oxfrolicing, as then called, was still the order of the 
day some fifty years ago, in most of the Dutch and German set- 
tlements. Old, middle-aged, and young — dressed much alike — 
usually assembled on those occasions, which were on Saturday 
evening, and as often as two or three times in a month. Males 
frequently danced with their hats on. The female dress was 
strapped caps of lawn, striped linsey petticoats, with short-gowns 
of differently striped calico or silk, an outside chintz pocket tied 
round the waist with ribbon or tape, and high heeled cloth boots. 
After the guests were assembled, a six or eight reel, then a four? 
a jig, and a hornpipe were danced in succession, in the centre of 
a room crowded by spectators to a small space for the dancers, if 
a fight did not take place before the hornpipe was reached — which 
was very frequently the case — owing to the impatience and fre- 
quent liquoring of the gentlemen not dancing. Then might have 
been seen a happy couple, manifesting great disparity of age, 
^'^ jigging merrily down the middle, through a line of succeeding 
generations^" The musician was generally either Jack Lawyer 
or Jack Zielie, who accompanied the motion of his bow with a 
continual stamping of one foot — saying, in effect, hear dis nigger 
mark time on de floor. The slaves of the citizens, on those oc- 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 161 

casions, were permitted to witness the performance at the doors 
and windows, which they literally filled. At the period of which 
I am speaking, much liquor was drank in all the frontier settle- 
ments, and pugilism, though not then treated as a science, was of 
very frequent occurence. It was not at all uncommon during 
those personal encounters, for a young miss to hold the coat and 
hat of her lover, while he was knocking another man down, or 
being knocked down himself. The reader is aware that the ban- 
ner of Temperance — the friend of peace and social order — was 
not unfurled o'er the land fifty years ago. 

Judge Brown assured me, that in his younger days he often 
made bows and arrows, and hand-sleds, to sell to boys. The or- 
dinary price for one of the latter was three coppers. This fact is 
mentioned to show the value of money in the French war. He 
said he had, among other things to gain a livelihood when young, 
often fiddled for a respectable company to dance. His wife hu- 
morously remarked to him while relating that fact — " and from a 
fiddler you rose to be a Judge.'' 

Few dishes w^ere formerly seen upon the tables of the Schoha- 
rie people. It was no uncommon sight to see a family of eight 
or ten persons seated at an old fashioned round table — which was 
turned up in every dwelling when not in use — each with a spoon 
eating from a single dish of supaan. Every member had a cavi- 
ty in the pudding filled with milk, from which he or she, was al- 
lowed freely to scoop. On eating through into each other's divi- 
sions, a quickened motion of the spoon ensued, if trouble did not. 
If bowls were not then found indispensible in a large family, for 
eating a supper of supaan and milk, neither were plates in eating 
a hearty dinner. Each member of the family — seated at the 
round table, the quality and neatness of which no cloth concealed — 
was given a large slice of bread upon which they ate their meat 
and potatoes ; after which, the time serving plate was broken up, 
thrust into a dish to receive a coat of dope (gravy,) and soon de- 
voured. Bread was then sliced by one of the heads of the fami- 
ly, and dealt out around the table as a whist player would deal 
his cards. Rice and milk was, like supaan, also eaten from one 



162 HISTOEY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

dish, after receiving the liberal scrapings of a cake of maple su- 
gar. Happy days were those when the good house-wife had few 
bowls or plates to wash, and little envy about the quality or num- 
ber of those possessed by her neighbor. 

That good custom of calling on friends and reciprocating kind 
feelings on the first day of the year, which still prevails in our 
larger towns, existed in Schoharie before the revolution : and no 
people improved the privileges of the custom or turned them to 
better account, than did the Indians. They not only called on the 
whites with a happy neiw-jahr, expecting to renew their claims 
to friendship by eating cakes and drinking liquor, but also expect- 
ed a liberal donation of eatables to take to their cabin, the squaws 
carrying baskets on their heads to receive them. On those gala 
days, the tables of the Germans and Dutch were loaded with sev- 
eral skipples of bread and fried cakes, and a fearful array of li- 
quors. Said Mattice Ball to the author — " I have alone cut up 
six loaves of bread on new year's day, and distributed to the 
Indians." 

In the Dutch settlements along the Mohawk, calls began among 

neighbors on new year's day at midnight, with the following 

greeting : 

" Ik wens u glucksaalic nieu jar ! 

Dat gy lang leben mag — • 

Veel geben mag — 

Ea de kernigh-reich von de himmel erben mogli !" 

I wish you a happy new- year ! 

May you long live — 

Have much to give — 

And in heaven at last appear ! 

Christmas is a day still observed in the Dutch and German 
settlements of New York, though not as much as formerly. On 
the evening before Christmas, children hang up their stockings on 
going to bed, expecting to find them filled in the morning with 
presents, such as cakes, fruit, nuts, &c. by an imaginary visitor 
called Santa Claas. If the children have been wilful and refrac- 
tory, the messenger of St. Nicholas, who is only a neighbor dis- 
guised, sometimes arrives before bed-time with a whip instead of 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 163 

a present ; and lucky are the mischievous urchins who can hide 
themselves under a bed, or their mother's apron to avoid chas- 
tisement. Formerly, the occasion was improved to punish dis- 
obedient slaves, whose superstitious fears prevented them from 
penetrating the disguise which often concealed some member of 
the family in which they lived. 

Paas, Easter-day; and Pinkster, Whitsunday, are days also 
noted in the annals of the Dutch. The former day is ushered in 
by the young, with presents of eggs colored various hues ; while 
the latter is more particularly observed by the colored population. 
The blacks are seen wdth smiling faces on that day, clad in their 
best apparel, going to visit their friends — often bearing flowers 
called by them Pinkster-bloomies ; which are known in New Eng- 
land as blossoms of the swamp-apple. 

The early farmers of Schoharie turned their attention mostly to 
raising wheat, as do their descendants — or rather did, until the 
weevil prevented. They have ever kept too many horses, and too 
few cattle and sheep for profit — the well fed horse being a very 
expensive boarder. Not many of the Dutch to this day keep large 
dairies, as very few of them make English cheese. Some of them, 
however, make considerable butter, and the world may be chal- 
lenged to excel them in making it palatable. Many of them 
churn the milk with the cream, and when that is not done, it 
goes through a process in working it called washing, which in 
either case, divests it of a greasy flavor more common to butter 
made in Enghsh settlements. The Dutch also make excellent 
bread. 

Sour-crout* is a German dish much eaten in the Schoharie and 
Mohawk valleys. Many families make a barrel of it every fall. 

* This article is made as follows. Late in the fall a quantity of good sound 
cabbage is prepared as it would be for slaugk, or salad, to conform to Web- 
ster. It is cut with knives set in a plank. In a clean barrel the packing is 
commenced. A layer of cabbage is closely laid by the aid of a heavy pounder, 
after which a handful of common salt is sprinkled upon it, and also a little 
water, to moisten the whole. This process is repeated until a sufficiency is 
secured ; when a board is laid upon the top and kept down by weights. The 
barrel is then put in the cellar. Fermentation causes a scum to rise upon 



1/ 



164 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

I have before observed that witchcraft was believed in by some 
of the Schoharie people, many years ago. A man by the name 
of Rector once shot, with impunity, an old woman living on the 
bank of the Schoharie, opposite the present village of Esperance, 
said to have been bewitched. She was shot through a window 
of her own house. Cattle were sometimes killed for the same 
supposed malady and burned up. I have spoken of old Doctor 
Moulter, as a believer in witchcraft. He is said to have had re- 
peated battles with witches, and on one occasion to have encoun- 
tered seven at once, at a small brook, near the corner of the roads 
in the north part of Schoharie village, and retreated until he 
placed his back against the brick church, when he overpowered 
them. It is not unlikely he met a Mary Magdalene, as they still 
lurk at times about the same corners. One anecdote more of the 
old Doctor. He pretended he could drive rats from one house to 
another, and was often hired by the superstitious — by whom he 
was very liberally paid, to drive the rats from their dwellings to 
those of their neighbors with whom they were not on good terms. 
Moulter, at precisely such an hour of the night, would rap on the 
corners of the house — repeat a lingo of his own, and command 
every rat, dead or alive, to leave the house thus thumped, and go 
to such an one as he was hired to send them to. Possibly he 
threatened to bewitch them if they did not pack up and be off. 
The silly doctrine of witchcraft has fled the Schoharie valley, 
never more to enter it. 

The inhabitants of Schoharie suffered but little in the French 
war. A block fort was then erected on the west side of the road, 
nearly opposite the residence of the late Philip Dietz. It is said, 
however, to have been but little used and not even garrisoned. 
The Six Nations of Indians which embraced the Schoharie tribe, 
were English allies in the war, consequently the frontier settle- 
ments were not much exposed. A small number of hostile In- 
dians entered Schoharie once during this war. Jacob Folluck 

the board, which should be cleansed as often as the barrel is disturbed. Sour- 
crout is usually cooked with potage, and for persons who exercise, it is very 
nutritious. It is much used in long voyages at sea. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 165 

was the only person killed by them. Near the present residence 
of David Lawyer, on Foxes creek, the enemy were secreted by 
an oat-field, intending the capture of several persons expected 
there to cut oats. Mr. Folluck with his dog and gun had just left 
home to go hunting. Passing the Indians, his dog began to bark ; 
when the former, fearing discovery, shot the dog and his mas- 
ter, whom they scalped ; and then precipitately left Schoharie. 
Mr. Sternberg, returning from Beaver Dam, passed unmolested 
by his concealed foes, just before his neighbor was shot. They 
were desirous of taking several prisoners at once, and he, being 
alone, passed unmolested. Sternberg had lost part of his nose, 
which was observed by the Indians in ambush. After the war 
he was recognized by some of them in the Mohawk valley, by 
the deficiency of his nasal organ. He was asked if he did not 
remember passing by the oat-field on the morning his neighbor 
was killed, leading a cow by a rope ? He replied that he did. He 
was then assured that Folluck would not have been injured, but 
for his dog. 

At the beginning of the French war a treaty was held with the 
Indians near where Boyd's mill now stands, in the present town 
of Middleburgh. The meeting was very numerously attended. 
Queter, (Peter,) an Oquago chief, who it would seem was in the 
French interest, closed a speech as follows. Laying down an 
iron wedge upon a fallen tree, said he, alluding to their union 
with the French, " We are like that — strong and can not he hrO' 
ken I" Mrs. Josiah Swart, who perfectly understood the Indian 
dialect, is said to have acted as interpreter on the occasion. 
When the symbol was explained, Mrs. S. emphatically address- 
ed Queter in his native tongue, and in behalf of the British 
interest as follows. Said she — taking a guinea from her pocket 
and laying it upon the wedge, " We are like that, which is equally 
strong and can outlive your symbol; for if both be buried in the 
ground the rust will destroy yours, while ours will come out as 
strong and as bright as everf When the squaw's speech was in- 
terpreted — ^Indians call all women squaws — it was pronounced 
superior to any other delivered on the occasion. It is supposed 

12 



166 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Sir William Johnson — under whom some of the white citizens 
and Indians of Schoharie served during this war, was present at 
this meetino-, as there w^ere chiefs assembled from several tribes. 
Abraham, a Schoharie chief, was among the speakers on the oc- 
casion. On the same ground, after the Canadas were conquered, 
a jubilee was held, at which time a barrel of rum ims drank. A 
bonfire was also made by piling a large quantity of pine knots 
around a dry tree, the light of which, when " the evening shades 
prevailed,^' beautified the rich mountain scenery around. At this 
jolly festival. Judge Brown, from whom these facts were obtained, 
wrestled with a young Indian and threw him. He bellowed ter- 
ribly when he got up, and his mother hearing his cries, ran to the 
spot and struck Brown upon the head with a pine knot, which 
felled him to the ground and nearly extinguished life. 

Pleasure wagons were unknown in Schoharie in former times, 
and persons attending church, going to frolicks, or to visit distant 
friends, usually went on horse-back. Many a horse, to which 
had been fed a double allowance of wheat for the occasion, has 
borne not only his master to a dance, but at the same time a sub- 
stantial guest of the gentler sex. Riding on horse-back was a 
healthy exercise much indulged in by ladies formerly. The side- 
saddles upon which they rode, exhibit the pretty form of a large 
mud-turtle. 

When neighbors returned from social visits, they always car- 
ried home for the children, a liberal quantity of oli-cooks — small 
round cakes with raisins in the centre and fried in lard, and sweet 
cakes. 

The practice among the early Germans and Dutch, of sparking 
it without fuel or rush-light, has now become obsolete. 

That the Americans as a people have degenerated from their 
ancestors in point of stature, limitation of life, and ability to en- 
dure fatigue, would seem to be a fact generally admitted. Some 
of the causes it may be well to notice, as it is highly important 
as a nation, we should not only have vigorous understandings, 
but strength of body to plan and execute any undertaking man 
may perform. One of the most obvious causes of declining 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 167 

strength, is the sedentary life of an increasing number of our ci- 
tizens, added to the fact that far too httle exercise is taken in the 
open air. It is so ordered on our planet, that man shall acquire 
a living hy the sweat of his brow- — and it is further ordained, that 
the labor implied inj;he mandate shall invigorate his bodily pow- 
ers. Another reason why we do not possess the constitutions of 
our ancestors, is, our luxurious mode of life when compared with 
theirs. We use more tea, coffee and sugar than they did, and our 
food is frequently seasoned to death. In fact, modern cookery is 
becoming a science, calculated to pamper the appetite of the in- 
dolent ; leaving the victim no other excuse than pastry for be- 
coming a gouty dyspeptic. Another palpable cause of pulmona- 
ry habits, is fashionahle dressing. What tends much to weaken 
us, although perhaps not so considered, is the use of stoves instead 
of fire-places for warming rooms : and I may add to this another, 
in the general introduction of bolting-cloths into grist-mills. An- 
drew Loucks, who, at our interview, was in his ninety-seventh 
year, in answer to the question, " why were people of your day 
healthier than those born at a later period," replied — " We ate 
lighter food when I was a boy than at present, such as soups ; 
used a great deal of milk and but little tea and coffee : we some- 
times made chocolate by roasting wheat flour in a pot, though not 
often. But ah ! added the old man, " young people are now up 
late nights — to run about evenings is not good, but to take the 
morning air is good.'' 

I should, perhaps, have remarked that the feeding of candy 
and sweat-meats to children, has tended more than most people 
imagine, to destroy the vigor of our race. There are, however, 
in spite of the evils of infant pupilage, causes beginning to oper- 
ate favorably, for the extension of human life, so that in the ag- 
gregate, it is estimated that the average limitation of man's exist- 
ence is now annually on the increase. Reasons obvious for this 
are, that science is augmenting its mastery of disease, while tem- 
perance is manifesting its benevolent operations in its prevention. 

The first tea party in Schoharie county was given by one of the 
Vrooman families, in Vrooman's Land. Miss Loucks, a sister of 



168 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

my informant, was a guest. When the enlivener was announced 
as ready, the party gathered about a round table, upon which 
stood not a morsel of any thing to eat, except a liberal lump of 
maple sugar, placed beside each cup. As the India beverage en- 
tered the cups from a kettle in which it had been boiled as one 
would boil potatoes, great was the curiosity to know how it might 
taste ; but it was soon satisfied in most of the guests, who sipped 
and did nothing but sip, at a beverage that would have borne an 
egg. No milk was used in the tea at Vrooman's. Miss Loucks, 
who did not like sugar, ashamed to have the rest of the party 
think she had not used her's, slipped it into a side pocket and Car- 
ried it home. The ancient Dutch custom always placed a lump 
of sugar beside each cup, and did not allow it to dissolve until it 
entered the mouth, when a frequent nibble sufficed. — M. Loucks. 
In doing the honors of a tea-table 25 years ago, the question — 
will you hite or stir? — was asked each guest. 

Before tracing those events of the American Revolution, which 
the reader, in the course of this Vv'ork, is to expect, I will insert 
for the benefit of the young, some of the leading causes which 
brought it about. 

Much had occurred during the colonizing of the several Ame- 
rican states, to estrange their affection and allegiance from the 
British Crowm. Repeated attempts had been made to abrogate 
their charters — limit their manufactures, and circumscribe their 
commerce : while numerous measures were adopted to render them 
more servile, and less confident in their own capacity for govern- 
ment and self-protection. 
/ The war between Great Britain and France, called the French 

V war, which lasted from 1755 to 1762, and ended so gloriously for 
Britain in the conquest of Canada and other French possessions 
in America, discovered to England the importance of her Ameri- 
can colonies. The English, at that period, knew but little of the 
true state of feeling existing in America, except that obtained 
through prejudiced sources : which remark is not wholly inappli- 
cable, even at the present day. The war to which I have alluded, 
created for Britain a heavy national debt. To liquidate this debt, 
the colonies were taxed, without having a voice in the councils 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. l69 

of the mother country ; against which they firmly, and with great 
unanimity remonstrated. The British ministry, ignorant of the 
geography of the colonies, treated those popular remonstrances 
with a <]egree of indifference and contempt, that tended to lessen 
the couiidence of the colonists in the English government. To the 
mad policy the British ministry pursued, there were in England 
some most honorable opposers. Among the foremost may he re- 
gistered the illustrious names of a Pitt, a Conway and a Barre. 
From the fact, that the colonists found some noble champions in 
England to assert their rights, they were the more united and un- 
tiring in their attempts to obtain redress. As the criminal, if re- 
strained even for an imaginary offence, is the more closely confined 
and watched if he makes any attempt to regain his liberty, so it 
was with the colonies ; the more they remonstrated, the heavier 
the manacles that were wrought for them. It is not to be won- 
dered at, that a people taught from the cradle to appreciate liber- 
ty, should manfully assert and maintain it. 

A system of taxation was devised by the British ministry as 
early as 1754. The plan proposed that the colonies should erect 
fortifications, raise troops, Sec; with power to draw on the Bri- 
tish treasury to defray the expense of the same — the whole ulti- 
mately to he reimbursed hy a tax from the mother country on the 
colonies. This plan was objected to by the sagacious Franklin, 
who, in a written reply to Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, 
proved clearly that the Americans could never submit to a tax 
that would render them servile — that they were already taxed in- 
directly without having a voice, being compelled to pay heavy du- 
ties on the manufactures of the mother country ; although many 
of the articles might be manufactured on American soil, or pur- 
chased cheaper in some other foreign market. 

Dissatisfaction was for years gaining ground in the colonies; 
and as the intelligence of the people increased, so that they could 
the better appreciate the value of liberty, the prejudices against 
the mother country were correspondingly augmented. Every 
new step the ministry took, having for its ultimate object to fix 
upon the Americans a system of taxation, was regarded with jeal- 



170 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ousy. They were aware that Great Britain had so fettered their 
foreign trade, as almost wholly to confine their commerce to her- 
self. 

The French war had swelled the national debt of England to 
nearly three hundi-ed and twenty 7nillions of dollars. George 
Grenville, then prime minister of England, wishing to devise some 
means for raising a revenue to meet the increased expenses of the 
British government, which should not prove onerous at home, pro- 
posed to raise a revenue in America to go into the exchequer of 
Great Britain. The first act for this object was passed in 1764. 
It imposed a duty on " clayed sugar, indigo, fyc," and would have 
been submitted to, had it not been closely followed by others still 
more oppressive. Governor Bernard, of Massachusetts, issued a 
pamphlet, doubtless from sinister motives, justifying the course of 
England. He recommended abolishing the colonial charters — a 
new division of the colonies — a nobility for life in each division — 
the whole to come under one general government, and that to be 
under the control of the King, abolishing, at the same time, re- 
ligious freedom of opinion, etc. It may well be imagined what 
effect sentiments would produce in America, which were intended 
to demolish colonial rights. In March, of the same year, Mr. 
Grenville reported a resolution imposing certain starap duties on 
the colonies. It was not to be acted upon, however, until the 
next session of Parliament. Opportunity being thus afforded the 
colonies, nearly all expressed in the interim, their disapprobation. 
In strong terms the House of Burgesses, of Virginia, signified their 
sense of the measure. They addressed lucid and sensible remon- 
strances to the King and both houses of Parliament. In those, 
they exhibited the want of a precedent to such a proceeding — the 
subversion of their rights as subjects of Great Britain — the ex- 
hausted state of their finances by the late war, which left that 
colony involved in a debt, to cancel which must impose for years 
to come a tax on her citizens — the general depression of business — 
their present exposed state, as the Indians on the frontier were 
unsubdued, and might increase their colonial debt, &c. The ad- 
dresses throughout, breathed a tone of humble firmness. Those 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 171 

memorials were not even allowed to be read in the House of Com- 
mons. Doctor Franklin, who was then in England, waited upon 
Mr. Grenville in person, to persuade him to abandon a measure, 
he well knew must excite the whole continent. Grenville perse- 
vered, and in March, 1765, the obnoxious bill was brought into 
the House of Commons. General Conway was the only member 
who openly contended against the right of Parliament to enact 
such a law. Charles Townsend, an advocate for the bill, closed 
a long and rather eloquent speech as follows : 

" And now will those Americans, children planted by our care, 
nourished ly our indulgence, till they are grown to a degree of 
strength and opulence, and protected by our arms, will they grudge 
to contribute their mite to relieve us from the heavy weight of that 
burden which we lie under ?" 

Colonel Barre, one of the most respectable members of the 
House of Commons, with strong feelings of indignation in his 
countenance and expression, replied to Mr. Townsend in the fol- 
lowing eloquent and laconic manner : 

" They planted by your care ? — No. Your oppressions plant- 
ed them in America. They fled from your tyranny into a then 
uncultivated land, where they were exposed to all the hardships 
to which human nature is liable ; and among others, to the cruel- 
ties of a savage foe, the most subtle, and, I will take upon me to 
say, the most terrible, that ever inhabited any part of God's earth. 
And yet, actuated by principles of true English liberty, they met 
all these hardships with pleasure, when they compared them with 
those they suffered in their own country, from men who should 
have been their friends. 

" They nourished by your indulgence ? — They grew up by 
your neglect of them. As soon as you began to care about them, 
that care was exercised in sending persons to rule them in one de- 
partment and in another, who were perhaps the deputies of depU' 
ties to some members of this House, sent to spy out their liberties, 
to misrepresent their actions, and to prey upon them. — Men whose 
behavior on many occasions, has caused the blood of those sons of 
liberty to recoil within them. — Men promoted to the highest seats 
of justice, some of whom to my knowledge were glad, by going 
to a foreign country, to escape being brought to the bar of a court 
of justice in their own. 

" They protected by your arms ? — They have nobly taken up 
arms in your defence. They have exerted a valor amidst their 
constant and laborious industry, for the defence of a country whose 



172 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

frontier was drenched in blood, while its interior parts yielded all 
its little savings fo your emolument. And believe — remember I 
this day tell you so, that same spirit of freedom which actuated 
that people at first, will accompany them still: but prudence for- 
bids me to explain myself further. God knows I do not at this 
time speak from any motives of party heat ; what I deliver are 
the genuine sentiments of my heart. However superior to me in 
general knowledge and experience the respectable body of this 
House may be, yet I claim to know more of Americans than most 
of you, having seen and been conversant in that country. The 
people, I believe, are as truly loyal as any subjects the King has, 
but a people jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicate them, 
if ever they should be violated: but the subject is too delicate — I 
will say no more." 

The bill was passed by the Commons, and met with no oppo- 
sition at all in the House of Lords. On the twenty-second of the 
same month, 1765, it received the royal assent. Soon after the 
passage of the bill. Doctor Franklin, in a letter to Mr. Charles 
Thompson, afterwards secretary to Congress, thus writes : " The 
sun of liberty is set ; you must light up the candles of industry 
and economy." Said Mr. Thompson, in his reply to Franklin, — 
" Be assured that we shall light up torches of quite another sort." 
To Mr. Ingersoll, who left London about the time the bill passed. 
Doctor Franklin said : " Go home and tell your people to get 
children [for soldiers] as fast as they can." The act, which was 
not to take effect until the following November, provided, that all 
contracts should be written on stamped 'paper, or have no force in 
law. As a matter of course, the paper was to be furnished at 
extravagant prices. As it was foreseen that unusual measures 
would be required to enforce a law, which, from its very nature, 
must meet with resistance, provision was made that all penalties 
for its violation might be recovered in the admiralty courts, which 
received their appointment from the crown. This was intended 
to obviate the process of trial hy jury, as it was supposed no co- 
lonial jury would aid in enforcing a law so obnoxious. The news 
of its final passage was received in the colonies with sorrowing 
of heart. Almost every thing was done by the people that could 
be, to manifest their abhorence of the stamp act. The shipping 
in the harbor at Boston displayed colors at half mast; church- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 173 

bells were muffled and tolled, and societies in most of the colonies 
were formed to resist the execution of the law. Masters of ves- 
sels who brought the stamps, were treated with indignity, and 
compelled to deliver up the stamps to the populace, who made 
bonfires of them and the law. Effigies of Andrew Oliver, who 
had been appointed stamp-distributer for the colony of Massachu- 
setts, and the British minister, lord North, (who had succeeded 
Mr. Grenville,) and some of his advisers, were made, and in so- 
lemn mockery, publicly burned. Justices of the peace refused to 
interpose their authority to enforce the law. Stamp officers were 
compelled to yield to the popular will, and agree never to deliver 
a stamp. And what was most alarming to Great Britain, many 
of the merchants entered into solemn engagements to import no 
more goods from the mother country, until the act was repealed. 
In the month of May following the passage of the act, five 
spirited resolutions against the law were introduced into the le- 
gislature of Virginia, by Patrick Henry, and after a very warm 
debate, were adopted. The fifth resolution read as follows : 

'■'■Resolved therefore, That the General Assembly of this colony 
have the sole right and power to lay taxes and impositions upon 
the inhabitants of this colony ; and that every attempt to vest such 
power in any person or persons whatever, other than the General 
Assembly aforesaid, has a manifest tendency to destroy British as 
well as American freedom." [Nearly at the same time the As- 
sembly of Massachusetts adopted similar resolves.] 

In the city of New York the stamp-act was printed, under the 
title of " The folly of England, and the ruin of America," and 
thus hawked about the streets. When it became known that co- 
lonial assemblies were evincing hostility to the law, the timid be- 
came more bold and the tendency to mobocracy could not be re- 
strained. In many parts of Connecticut and Rhode-Island, mobs 
to oppose the law were collected, while in Boston the populace 
wantonly destroyed the buildings and property of the stamp offi- 
cers. In June the Legislature of Massachusetts proposed the ex- 
pediency of calling a Continental Congress, to meet in New York 
the following October. Nine of the colonies sent delegates. The 
esult of their deliberations was, a declaration of rights, in which 



174 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

they claimed the exclusive right to tax themselves, and the privi- 
lege of trial by jury, a memorial to the House of Lords, and a pe-. 
tition to the King, and Commons. Colonies prevented by the pro- 
roguing power of their governors from sending delegates to the 
convention, expressed their earliest possible approbation of the 
proceedings. On the first day of November, when the stamp-act 
was to take effect, sadness was manifest in all the colonies. In 
Boston the workshops and stores were closed, and while the bells 
tolled as for a funeral, effigies of the friends of the act, were 
marched in solemn procession through the streets, to a gallows 
on Boston neck, where, after the hang-man had done his duty, 
they were cut down and destroyed. At Portsmouth, public no- 
tice was given to the friends of liberty to attend her funeral — a 
coffin was prepared, upon which was inscribed in large letters the 
word Liberty. This was followed by a numerous procession, 
while the bells were tolling and minute guns were firing, to the 
grave. There an oration was pronounced, in which it was hinted, 
that the deceased might possibly revive. The coffin was then dis- 
interred, the word Revived conspicuously added to the inscription, 
after which the bells rang a merry peal. Printers boldly printed 
and circulated their papers, without the required stamp. Asso- 
ciations were formed from Maine to the Mississippi, entitled the 
" Sons of Liberty," composed of the talent and wealth of the 
people ; pledging their fortunes and their lives to defend the 
liberty of the press, and put down the stamp-act. The scheme 
of continental alliance, which afterwards followed, sprang from 
these associations. Nor were the males alone patriotic — females 
of the highest rank, and bred to luxurious ease, became members 
in all the colonies, of societies, resolving to forego luxuries, and 
to card, spin, and weave their own clothing. Fair reader ! a suit 
of home-spun, was then a mark of popular distinction. Such was 
the spirit of opposition, to a favorite measure of the British minis- 
try. Parliament again convened in January, 1766 ; when a mul- 
titude of petitions, from all parts of England and America, were 
presented for the repeal of the stamp-act. Some changes had 
taken place in the English Cabinet, more favorable to the colonial 



AND BORDEK WARS OF NEW YORK. 175 

cause, but Mr. Grenvllle still retained a place in it. After the 
• speech of the King had been read, Mr. Pitt, the great champion 
of equal rights, occupied the floor. He briefly censured the acts 
of the late ministry, after which he thus expressed himself. 

" It is a long time, Mr. Speaker, since I have attended in Par- 
liament : when the resolution was taken in this House to tax Ame- 
rica, I was ill in bed. If I could have endured to have been car- 
ried in my bed, so great was the agitation of my mind for the con- 
sequences, I would have solicited some kind hand to have laid me 
down on this floor, to have borne my testimony against it. It is 
my opinion, that this kingdom has no right to lay a tax upon the colo- 
nies. At the same time, I assert the authority of this kingdom to 
be sovereign and supreme in every circumstance of government 
and legislation whatsoever. Taxation is no part of the governing 
or legislative power ; the taxes are a voluntary gift and grant of 
the Commons alone. The concurrence of the Peers and the 
Crown is necessary only as a form of law. This House represents 
the commons of Great Britain. When in this House we give and 
grant, therefore, we give and grant what is our own, but can we 
give and grant the property of the Commons of America 1 It is an 
absurdity in terms. There is an idea in some, that the colonies 
are virtually represented in this House. I would fain know by 
who7n ? The idea of virtual represeiitation is the most contemptible 
that ever entered into the head of man : — It does not deserve a se- 
rious refutation. The commons in America, represented in their 
several Assemblies, have invariably exercised this constitutional 
right of giving and granting their own money ; they would have 
been slaj^es if they had not enjoyed it. At the same time this 
kingdom has ever professed the power of legislation and commer- 
cial control. The colonies acknowledge your authority in all 
things, with the sole exception that you shall not take their money 
out of their pockets without their consent. Here would I draw the 
line — quam ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum'''' — [right forbids 
you to go beyond or fall short of it.] 

Mr. Grenville, the prime mover of all the mischief, arose to de- 
fend his measures. He compared the tumults in America to an 
open rebellion — said he feared the doctrine that day promulgated 
would lead to revolution. He justified the right of taxing the 
colonies, &c. Said he — 

" Protection and obedience are reciprocal. Great Britain pro- 
tects America, America is therefore bound to yield obedience. If 
not, tell me, when were the Americans emancipated ? The sedi- 
tious spirit of the colonies, owes its birth to the factions in this 
House. We were told we trod on tender ground ; we were bid to 



176 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

expect disobedience ; what is this but telling America to stand out 
against the law ? To encourage their obstinacy with the expecta- 
tion of support here ? Ungrateful people of America ! The nation 
has run itself into an immense debt to give them protection ; 
bounties have been extended to them ; in their favor the act of 
navigation has been relaxed : and now that they are called upon 
to contribute a small share towards the public expense, they re- 
nounce your authority, insult your officers, and break out, I might 
almost say, into open rebellion." 

Mr. Grenville took his seat, and Mr. Pitt, with permission of 
the House, rose, with indignation visible in his countenance, to 
reply. 

" Sir," [addressing the Speaker,] " a charge is brought against 
gentlemen sitting in this House, for giving birth to sedition in 
America. The freedom with which they have spoken their senti- 
ments against this unhappy act, is imputed to them as a crime ; 
but the imputation shall not discourage me. It is a liberty which 
I hope no gentleman will be afraid to exercise ; it is a liberty by 
which the gentleman who calumniates it, might have profited. 
He ought to have desisted from his project. We are told America 
is obstinate — America is almost in open rebellion . Sir, I rejoice 
that America has resisted. Three millions of people so dead to all 
the feelings of liberty, as voluntarily to submit to be slaves, would 
have been fit instruments to have made slaves of all the rest." 
[After a very happy reply to some old law passages cited by Mr. 
Grenville ; he thus continued] — " 'When,' said the honorable gen- 
tleman, ' were the colonies emancipated V At what time, say I in 
answer, were they made slaves? I speak from accurate know- 
ledge when I say, that the profits to Great Britain from the trade 
of the colonies, through all its branches, is two millions per an- 
num. This is the fund which carried you triumphantly through 
the war ; this is the price America pays you for her protection ; 
and shall a miserable financier come with a boast that he can fetch 
a pepper-corn into the exchequer, at the loss of millions to the na- 
tion ? I know the valor of your troops — I know the skill of your 
officers — I know the force of this country ; but in such a cause your 
success would be hazardous. America if she fell, would fall like 
the strong man : she zvmdd e?nbrace the pillars of the State and 
pull down the Constitution with her. Is this your boasted peace ? 
Not to sheathe the sword in the scabbard, but to sheathe it in the 
bowels of your countrymen ? The Americans have been wronged ; 
they have been driven to madness by injustice. Will you punish 
them for the madness you have occasioned ? No : let this country 
be the first to resume its prudence and temper ; I will pledge 
myself for the colonies, that on their part animosity and resent- 
ment will cease. The system of policy I would earnestly adopt in 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 177 

relation to America, is happily expressed in the words of a favo- 
rite poet : 

"Be to her faults a little blind, 

Be to her virtues very kind, 

Let all her ways be unconfined 

And clap your padlock on her mind." 

Upon the Avhole I beg leave to tell the House, in a few words, 
what is really my opinion. It is that the stamp-act he repealed, 

ABSOLUTELY, TOTALLY AND IMMEDIATELY. 

In addition to the information contained in the numerous peti- 
tions laid before Parliament, Doct. Franklin was called to the bar, 
and questioned freely as to the real state of feeling existing in the 
colonies towards the act. By a division of the House a large 
majority were in favor of not enforcing ; and shortly after a bill 
passed for repealing the law. The news of its repeal produced 
joy throughout England and America. Illuminations and deco- 
rations took place in the former, while in the latter country, public 
thanksgivings were offered in the churches — non-importation re- 
solutions rescinded, and the home-spun apparel given to the poor. 
The difficulty between the two countries would soon have been 
healed, had not the repeal of the stamp- act been followed with 
the " Declaratory Ad" which was, " that Parliament have, and 
of right ought to have, power to bind the colo7iies in all cases 
whatsoever." In this the right to tax was still maintained : in 
addition to this probe to open the wound anew, a law remained 
unrepealed, which directed that whenever troops should be march- 
ed into any of the colonies, necessary articles should be provided 
for them at the expense of the colony. The Assembly of New 
York refused obedience to this law, and Parliament, to punish 
that body, suspended its authority. The alarm occasioned by this 
act, considered by the people despotic, had not time to die away, 
before a new and aggravated cause of grievance was added, by 
the passage of a law imposing duties on the importation of glass, 
tea, and other enumerated articles, into the colonies, provision by 
the act being made for the appointment of commissioners of the 
customs, to be dependent solely on the Crown. About the same 
time Gov. Bernard of Massachusetts who had received private in- 



178 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

structions to see that the colony made provision to remunerate the 
losses of those who had honored the stamp-act, heing already very 
unpopular with the people, assumed, in his message to the As- 
sembly, a tone of haughty reproach. This message produced a 
sarcastic and indignant reply. From this time the friends of 
liberty daily increased, and the court party correspondingly de- , 
clined. The joy felt in the colonies for the repeal of the stamp- 
act, was of very short duration. The non-importation agreements 
were revived — looms and cards once more set to work — the spin- 
ning-wheel, the piano of the times, was heard buzzing in the 
dwellings of the rich — articles of domestic manufacture became 
again, with patriots, the fashion of the day — petitions and re- 
monstrances were drawn up and circulated — and India tea, yield- 
ed its place on the tables of its fond drinkers, to a decoction of 
sassafras, sage, or a glass of cold water. 

In 1768, troops were stationed in New York and Boston, to 
awe the people into submission to the acts of Parliament. Early 
in the same year, Massachusetts addressed a circular letter to the 
legislatures of the sister colonies, to have them unite in advising 
what course it was best to pursue. A series of essays, published 
in a Philadelphia newspaper at this period, entitled, "Letters 
from a farmer in Pennsylvania to the inhabitants of the British 
Colonies," from the pen of that enlightened patriot, John Dick- 
inson, Esq., augmented the spirit of unioji. In 1769, resolutions 
were adopted in Parliament reprobating in strong terms the con- 
duct of the people of Massachusetts, and directing that pliant tool 
of oppression. Governor Bernard, to make strict inquiry into all 
treasonable acts committed in that province since 1767, that per- 
sons thus guilty might have their offences investigated, and their 
fate decided upon within the realm of Ch'eat Britain. 

The House of Burgesses of Virginia, which met shortly after, 
adopted, with closed doors, from fear of being prorogued by the 
Governor, resolutions expressive of their sense of the injustice 
and unconstitutionality of transporting criminals for trial among 
strangers, believing it to be highly derogatory to the rights of 
British subjects. Soon after this public manifestation of popular 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 179 

displeasure, the general court of Massachusetts convened at Cam- 
bridge, the public buildings in Boston being filled at that time 
with British soldiers. Governor Bernard wished them to provide 
funds to defray the expenses of quartering his Majesty's troops — 
no notice, however, was taken of the request : and he shortly af- 
ter left the province — unhonored and unlamented. He had for 
some time been a pliant tool for the British ministry, and his sys- 
tem of espionage had won for him the curses of the Union, which 
was then forming. Had the colonies been governed by men who 
were more willing to redress known grievances, and less anxious 
to please a ministry three thousand miles distant, it is possible the 
separation of the colonies from the mother country might have 
been delayed, if not prevented. Governor Trumbull of Connec- 
ticut, it should be observed, was an exception to the general rule. 

Nothing occurred in 1769, to avert the impending storm. The 
mass of the people, in the mean time, were properly investigating 
the causes which were agitating the country, and which were fast 
approaching a crisis. Non-importation agreements were now as- 
suming a form, and producing an effect which told on the mother 
country. In June of that year, delegates from the several coun- 
ties in Maryland met at Annapolis and adopted spirited resolves : 
in one of which they took measures to secure to the country the 
article of wool, by agreeing not to kill any ewe lambs. 

The troops quartered in New York and Boston were a constant 
source of irritation and difficulty with the inhabitants. On the 
second day of March, 1770, a quarrel took place at Boston, be- 
tween a British soldier and a man employed at a rope-walk. This 
quarrel was renewed by the citizens on the evening of the fifth, 
when a part of Captain Preston's company, after having been 
pelted with snow-balls, derided, and dared to, fired upon the mul- 
titude, killing three and wounding five others. The ringing of 
bells, the beating of drums and the shout to arms I by the peo- 
ple, soon brought together thousands of citizens. A body of 
troops, sent in the mean time to rescue Preston's men, would 
doubtless have been massacred, had not Governor Hutchinson and 
some of the leading citizens, among whom was Samuel Adams, 



180 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

interfered. The Governor promised that the matter should be 
amicably adjusted in the morning ; and the mob dispersed. The 
anniversary of this first martyrdom in the cause of American lib- 
erty, was celebrated by the Bostonians until the close of the war. 
The immortal Warren delivered two of the anniversary orations. 
In the first, which he delivered in 1772, on alluding to the events 
of that memorable evening, he thus speaks : 

" When we beheld the authors of our distress parading in our 
streets, or drawn up in a regular battalia, as though in a hostile 
city, our hearts beat to arms ; we snatched our weapons, almost 
resolved, by one decisive stroke, to avenge the death of our slaugh- 
tered brethren, and to secure from future danger, all that we held 
most dear: but propitious heaven forbade the bloody carnage, and 
saved the threatened victims of our too keen resentment, not by 
their discipline, not by their regular array, — no, it was royal 
George's livery that proved their shield — it was that which turned 
the pointed engines of destruction from their breasts." [In a note 
of reference to the forgoing extract, he thus adds:] "I have the 
strongest reason to believe that I have mentioned the only circum- 
stance which saved the troops from destruction. It was then and 
now is the opinion of those who were best acquainted with the 
state of affairs at that time, that had thrice that number of troops, 
belonging to any power at open war with us, been in this town, in 
the same exposed condition, scarce a man would have lived to 
have seen the morning light." 

Three days after the massacre, the obsequies were solemnized. 
Every demonstration of respect was manifested. The stores and 
work-shops were closed — the bells of Boston, Charlestown and 
Roxbury were tolled, and thousands followed the remains to their 
final resting place. The bodies were all deposited in one vault. 
This unhappy event and its annual observance, tended greatly to 
widen the breach between the colony of Massachusetts and the 
mother country. In New York, quarrels also arose between the 
citizens and soldiers. Liberty poles, erected by the former, were 
cut down by the latter. 

While such events were transpiring, an attempt was made in 
England to repeal the laws for raising a revenue in America. The 
duties were removed from all articles except tea, it bemg thought 
necessary by Parliament, to have at least one loaf constantly in 
the oven of discord. The repeal of a part of the obnoxious law 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 181 

produced little effect in the colonies, except to modify the non- 
importation agreements so as to exclude only tea from the coun- 
try ; and those patriots who had not before substituted, instead of 
tea, a cold water or herbaceous beverage, did now. 



J3 



( 182 ) 



CHAPTER VI. 



The reader will perceive that the Revolution had, for several 
years, been progressively taking place : he is now approaching 
that period, when, by the clashing of steel, it was to be main- 
tained. 

In 1772, his Majesty's revenue cutter Gaspee, while giving 
chase to the Pi ovidence, a packet sailing into Newport, and sus- 
pected of dealing in contraband wares, ran aground in Providence 
river, and was burned by the merchants and citizens in the 
vicinity. This was a bold act, and the sum of Jive hundred 
pounds was offered for the discovery of the offenders, and full par- 
don to any one who would become state's evidence : but in this 
case, as in that of Andre's capture, gold had no influence. 

In 1773, provinces not exposed to the acts of a lawless soldiery, 
were fast breathing the same spirit manifested by those which 
were : propitious gales wafted it to the remotest parts. The ta- 
lented Patrick Henry, who made human nature and human events 
his study, prophesied, during this year, that the colonies would 
become independent. Virginia, in March of 1773, again took the 
lead in legislative resolves, against tyrannic oppression. The le- 
gislatures of New England and Maryland responded cordially to 
them. Governor Hutchinson of Massachusetts, who succeeded 
Mr. Bernard, by a system of espionage similar to that carried on 
by the latter, became to the people of that commonwealth very 
odious. During this year, standing committees were appointed 
in the colonial assemblies, to correspond with each other. At this 
period, town committees had been formed in almost every town in 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 183 

some of the colonies, which had for their chief object, the speedy 
communication of important information, there being* then but few 
printing presses in the country. Some time in this year, Doctor 
Frankhn obtained in London several original letters, written by 
o^overnor Hutchinson and others at Boston, to members of the 
British Parliament ; stating that the opposition to the laws, were, 
in Massachusetts, confined to a few factious individuals : recom- 
mending at the same time, the abridging of colonial rights, and 
the adoption of more vigorous measures. These letters were 
transmitted to America, and their contents being soon known in 
every hamlet in New England, the popular indignation was great- 
ly increased. The legislature of Massachusetts, in an address to 
his Majesty, demanded the recall of the governor and lieut. gov- 
ernor. This legislative proceeding was the cause of much oppro- 
brium being cast upon Franklin in England. 

Owing to the rigid observance of the non-importation resolves, 
the East India company now found their tea accumulating in vast 
quantities in their ware-houses. They were therefore under the 
necessity of petitioning Parliament for relief. Permission was 
granted them to import it on their own account : and they accord- 
ingly appointed consignees in several American sea- ports, and 
made heavy shipments to them. They intended, no doubt, to 
land it free of duty to the American merchant, but the law im- 
posing the duty yet remained on the statute book of England ; 
and the popular voice decided, that while the right to tax was 
maintained, the tea should not be landed. In Philadelphia, the 
consignees declined their appointment. In New York, hand-bills 
were circulated, threatening with ruin those who should vend tea ; 
and warning pilots, at their peril, not to conduct ships into that 
port laden with the article. In Boston, inflammatory handbills 
were also circulated, but the consignees, being in favor with the 
governor, accepted their appointments. This excited the whole 
colony of Massachusetts, and enraged the citizens. In the mean 
time, several ships, containing thousands of chests, arrived on the 
coast. So determined were the people not to allow the tea to be 
landed, that ship after ship was compelled to return to England, 



184 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

without unlading a single chest. Philadelphia took the lead, and 
was nobly sustained by New York. In Charleston, it was landed 
but not permitted to be sold. On the twenty-ninth of November, 
the Dartmouth, an East India ship, laden with tea, entered the 
harbor of Boston. At a numerous meeting of the citizens, held 
to consult on the course to be pursued, it was resolved, " that the 
tea should not be landed, that no duty should be paid, and that it 
should be sent back in the same vessel." To enforce the resolu- 
tions, a vigilant watch was organized to prevent its being secret- 
ly landed. The captain was notified to return with his cargo ; 
but Governor Hutchinson refused to sanction his return. In the 
mean time, other vessels, laden with tea, arrived there. On the 
sixteenth December, the citizens of Boston and vicinity assembled 
to determine what course to adopt. On the evening of that day, 
when it was known that the governor refused a pass for the ves- 
sels to return, a person in an Indian's dress gave the war whoop in 
the gallery of the Assembly room. At this signal, the people 
hurried to the wharves ; when a party of about twenty men, dis- 
guised as Mohawks, protected by thousands of citizens on shore, 
boarded the vessels, broke open and emptied the contents oi three 
hundred and forty -two chests of tea into the ocean, without tu- 
mult or personal injury. "What a tea party the fishes and sea- 
serpent must have had that night. 

These violent proceedings greatly excited the displeasure of the 
British government. Early in 1774, an act was passed in Par- 
liament, levying a fine on the town of Boston, as a compensation 
to the East India company for the tea destroyed the preceding De- 
cember. About the same time, an act closing the port of Boston, 
and removing the custom house to Salem : and another depriving 
the colony of Massachusetts of her constitution and charter, were 
passed : and to cap the climax of oppression, a bill was introduced 
making provision for the trial in England, instead of that colony 
for capital offence ; which passed the same year. A few indivi- 
duals strenuously opposed those measures, believing that the colo- 
nists would be driven to acts of desperation ; but they were passed 
by large majorities. When the bill for blockading the town of 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 185 

Boston was under discussion in March of this year, Gov. John- 
ston, who opposed the measure, said in a speech on that occasion, 
" I now venture to predict to this house, that the effect of the pre- 
sent bill must be productive of a general confederacy, to resist 
the power of this country." Gen. Conway was again found the 
champion of equal rights, and when the bill was under discussion 
to destroy the chartered privileges of the colony, he closed a brief 
but pertinent speech with the following sentence : " These acts 
respecting America, will involve this country and its ministers in 
misfortunes, and, I wish I may not add, in ruin." It has often 
been asserted that the whole bench of Bishops in England, who 
are legally constituted members of Parliament, were in favor of 
forcins" the colonies to submit to the unwise acts of the mother 
country. As there was one most honorable exception, I take 
pleasure in making it more generally known. The Rev. Dr. Jona- 
than Shipley, Bishop of St. Asaph, was the nobleman to whom I 
allude. When the bill for altering the charter of the colony of 
Massachusetts was under discussion, he prepared a speech replete 
with wisdom, and containing the most convincing proofs, that the 
British government were in the wrong and were pursuing a course 
illy calculated to bring the colonies again to prove profitable to 
England. He showed the evil of making the governors depend- 
ent on the crown, instead of the governed, for support. Said he : 

Your ears have been open to the governors and shut to the peo- 
ple. This must necessarily lead us to countenance the jobs of in- 
terested men, under the pretence of defending the rights of the 
crown. But the people are certainly the best judges whether 
they are well governed ; and the crown can have no rights incon- 
sistent with the happiness of the people." [Speaking of the act 
of taxation, he said:] " If it was unjust to tax them, [the Ameri- 
cans] we ought to repeal it for their sakes ; if it was unwise to 
tax them, we ought to repeal it for our own." [He exhibited the 
fact that the whole revenue raised in America in 1772, amounted 
only to eighty-five pounds.] " Money that is earned so dearly as 
this [said he] ought to be expended with great wisdom and econo- 
my. My lords, were you to take up but one thousand pounds more 
from North America upon the same terms, the nation itself would 
be a bankrupt." [He added, in another place:] "It is a strange 
idea we have taken up, to ciue their resentments, by increasing 
their provocations, to remove the effects of our own ill conduct, by 



186 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

multiplying the instances of it. But the spirit of blindness and 
infatuation has gone forth. * * Recollect that the Americans 
are men of like passions with ourselves, and think how deeply 
this treatment must affect them." 

The able and argumentive speech of the learned Bishop, which 
was not delivered in the House for want of an opportunity, was 
published soon after, but, as he had anticipated, " not a word of 
it was regarded." While the declaratory hill of the sovereignty of 
Great Britain over the colonies was under discussion, in March, 
Mr. Pitt, then lord Chatham, again opposed the principle of taxa- 
tion without representation, and closed an animated speech as fol- 
lows : 

" The forefathers of the Am^ericans did not leave their native 
country, and subject themselves to every danger and distress, to 
be reduced to a state of slavery : they did not give up their rights ; 
they looked for protection, and not for chains, from their mother 
country ; by her they expected to be defended in the possession of 
their property, and not to be deprived of it ; for should the pre- 
sent power continue, there is nothing they can call their own; 
or, to use the words of Mr. Locke, ' what property have they in that 
which another may by right take, when he pleases, to himself?' " 

The news in the colonies of the passage of the unjust laws 
above mentioned, carried with it gloom and terror. The better 
informed saw the approaching contest, yet firmly resolved to live 
or die freemen. From the north to the south the same spirit was 
manifested, and the kindest sympathy felt for the Bostonians, who 
were considered as suffering in the cause of liberty. The first day 
of June, when the Boston port-bill began to operate, was observed 
in most of the colonies as a day of fasting and prayer. 

Governor Hutchinson of Massachusetts was recalled early in 
1774, and General Gage appointed his successor ; but the inter- 
ests of the people found no material benefit from this change of 
rulers. On the 17th of June, the general court of Massachusetts, 
at the suggestion of a committee in Virginia, recommended the 
calhng of a Congress at Philadelphia, on the first Monday of the 
following September. At a numerous meeting of the inhabitants 
of the city of New York, convened in an open field on the sixth 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 187 

of July, with Alexander McDougal in the chair, a series of spirit- 
ed resolutions were adopted, among which was the following : 

" Resolved, That any attack or attempt to abridge the liberties, 
or invade the constitution of any of our sister colonies, is imme- 
diately an attack upon the liberties and constitution of all the oth- 
er British colonies." 

About this time, the motto, " United we stand, divided we fall !" 
originated in Hanover, Virginia ; while almost at the same in- 
stant the motto, " Join or die /" had its origin in Rhode Island. 
On the first day of September, the following circumstance gave a 
new impulse to the spirit of independence in the colony of Massa- 
chusetts. Gov. Gage had ordered a military force to take posses- 
sion of the powder in the provincial arsenal at Charlestown, near 
Boston. It was rumored abroad, that the British fleet in the har- 
bor were bombai'ding the town, and thirty thousand men, in less 
than two days, mostly armed, were on their way to Boston. An- 
other circumstance took place in that city, about the same time, 
which added oil to the lamp of liberty. Gov. Gage deprived 
John Hancock of his commission as colonel of cadets ; a volun- 
teer body of governor's guards. The company took offence at 
the act, and instantly disbanded themselves. The late governors, 
Bernard and Hutchinson, repeatedly represented to the British 
ministry, that the colonies could never form a union. They had 
hoped as much, and taken no little pains to prevent such an event ; 
but when the fifth of September arrived, delegates from twelve of 
the thirteen colonies met in convention, Georgia alone excepted : 
she soon after joined the confederacy. Peyton Randolph, of Vir- 
ginia, was chosen president, and Charles Thompson, of Pennsyl- 
vania, secretary of this body. Patrick Henry was the first to ad- 
dress the meeting. While in session, this Congress passed reso- 
lutions, approving the course of the citizens of Boston — opposing 
the acts of Parliament — advising union, peaceable conduct, etc. 
They remonstrated with General Gage against fortifying Boston 
Neck — recommended a future course to be pursued by the colo- 
nies — setting forth clearly the present evils, their causes and re- 
medies. They advised economy and frugality — the abstaining 



188 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

from all kinds of intemperance, festivities, and the like — requir- 
ing committees to report all the enemies of American liberty, 
that their names might be published. They also addressed a pe- 
tition to the king — a memorial to the citizens of England — an 
address to the people of the colonies — and another to the French 
inhabitants of Quebec, Georgia, Nova Scotia, and other British 
provinces not represented. In their petition to the king, they 
simply asked to be restored to their situation in the peace of 1763, 
in humble, strong and respectful terms. They urged the colonies 
" to be prepared for every contingency." They invited the co- 
operation of the British colonies not represented in that congress, 
in their resistance to oppression ; and adjourned on the twenty- 
sixth of October, after a session of ffty-two days, to meet again 
on the tenth of the following May. Says Mr. Allan, author of 
the American Revolution : 

" That an assembly of fifty-two men, born and educated in the 
wilds of a new world, unpractised in the arts of politjr, most of them 
unexperienced in the arduous duties of legislation, coming from 
distant colonies and distant governments, differing in religion, 
manners, customs and habits, as they did in their views Avith re- 
gard to the nature of their connexion with Great Britain — that 
such an assembly, so constituted, should display so much wisdom, 
sagacity, foresight and knowledge of the world, such skill in ar- 
gument, such force of reasoning, such firmness and soundness of 
judgment, so profound an acquaintance with the rights of man, 
such elevation of sentiment, such genuine patriotism, and above 
all, such unexampled union of opinion — was indeed a political 
phenomenon, to which history has yet furnished no parallel." 

The resolves of Congress were strictly observed, by all the thir- 
teen colonies, a system of commercial non-intercourse wath the 
mother coimtry was maintained, and the militia were drilled and 
preparations made for any emergency. In December following, 
Maryland alone resolved to raise jE 10,000, for the purchase of 
arms and ammunition for her defence. In January, 1775, colo- 
nial difficulties were the cause of warm discussions, in both Houses 
of the mother government. On a motion for an address to his 
Majesty, to give immediate orders for removing his troops from 
Boston, Lord Chatham delivered a powerful speech. He asserted 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 189 

that the measures of the preceding year, which had placed their 
American affairs in so alarming a state, were founded upon mis- 
representation — that instead of its being only a faction in Boston, 
as they had been told, who were opposed to their unlawful go- 
vernment, it was, in truth, the whole continent. Said he, 

" When I urge this measure for recalling the troops from Bos- 
ton, I urge it on this pressing principle — that it is necessarily pre- 
paratory to the restoration of your prosperity." [He termed the 
troops under General Gage,] " an army of impotence — and irrita- 
tion — I do not mean to censure the inactivity of the troops. It is 
a prudent and necessary inaction. But it is a miserable condition, 
where disgrace is prudence ; and where it is necessary to be con- 
temptible. Woe be to him who sheds the first, the unexpiable 
drop of blood in an impious war, with a people contending in the 
great cause of public liberty. I will tell you plainly, my lords, no 
son of mine, nor any one over whom I have influence, shall ever 
draw his sword upon his fellow subjects." [He stated, that from 
authentic information he knew that the whole continent was unit- 
ing, and not commercial factions, as had been asserted. Speaking 
of the principles which united the Americans, he said,] — " 'Tis 
liberty to liberty engaged, that they will defend themselves, their 
families and their country. In this great cause they are immova- 
bly allied. It is the alliance of God and nature — immutable, eter- 
nal, fixed as the firmament of Heaven. When your lordships 
look at the papers transmitted us from America, when you consi- 
der their decency, firmness and wisdom, you can not but respect 
their cause and wish to make it your own — for myself I must de- 
clare and avow that, in all my reading and observation, and it has 
been my favorite study — I have read Thucidydes, and have stu- 
died and admired the master states of the world — that for solidity 
and reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion, under 
such a complication of different circumstances, no nation or body 
of men can stand in preference to the General Congress at Phila- 
delphia. I trust it is obvious to your lordships, that all attempts to 
impose servitude on such men, to establish despotism over such a 
mighty continental nation — must be vain — must be futile. To 
conclude, my lords, if the ministers thus persevere in misadvising 
and misleading the King, I will not say that they can alienate his 
subjects from his crown, but I will affirm that they will make the 
crown not worth his wearing. I shall not say that the King is be- 
trayed, but I will pronounce that the kingdom is undone.'''' 

Lord Chatham was nobly sustained by Lord Cambden, but 
they were of a small minority, and their reasoning was buried in 
the popular will of that immortal mortal, Lord North. A favo- 
rite measure of the latter gentleman, for healing the dissensions 



190 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

in the colonies was adopted, which was in substance, that if any 
colony would consent to tax itself for the benefit of the mother 
country. Parliament would forbear to tax that colony, as long as 
the contribution was punctually paid. One would suppose that 
head brainless that looked for a very beneficial result from the 
passage of such a law. In March of this year, the celebrated 
Edmund Burke delivered a long and able speech in Parliament in 
favor of conciliating colonial difficulties — but to no purpose. An 
effort was made by the British ministry, when they found the 
Americans uniting, to create a separation of interest, and prevent 
a union of the northern and southern, by conciliating the middle 
colonies, but without effect : the motto. United we stand, had gone 
forth, and no political manouvering could annual it. At this pe- 
riod, there w^ere not a few in the colonies, who, from reverence, 
timidity or sinister motives, clung to the authority of the mother 
country. The most of those, however, were recent immigrants 
from England and Scotland, and a multitude of officers dependent 
on the Crown and its authority, for a continuance of kingly honors. 
These adherents to British authority were called Tories, and the 
friends of liberty and equal rights were called Whigs ; names 
originated many years before in England. To compel New Eng- 
land to submit to the acts of Parliament, they were prohibited, in 
the course of this year, from fishing on the banks of Newfound- 
land ; and armed vessels were sent to enforce the law. This pro- 
hibition was severely felt, as several colonies were extensively en- 
gaged in that business. 

The storm which had so long been gathering over this conti- 
nent, was now about to descend in all its fury. On the 19th day 
of April, 1775, Gen. Gage sent from Boston a detachment of 8 
or 900 troops, under the command of Col. Smith and Maj. Pit- 
cairn, to destroy a collection of military stores, accumulated at 
Concord by the friends of liberty. At Lexington, a small village 
which they had to pass, a company of sixty or seventy militia were 
paraded near the village church. Maj. P. riding forward, ex- 
claimed. Disperse, you rebels — throw doivn your arms and dis- 
perse ! The militia hesitated^ and the Maj. firing a pistol, ordered 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 191 

a company under Capt. Parker, to lire upon them : the command 
was obeyed, and eight were killed and several wounded. The 
militia dispersed, and the troops marched on to Concord. Some 
of the stores had been removed, what remained were destroyed. 
The minute men of that town had assembled before the arrival of 
the regulars, but being too weak to oppose the latter, retired on 
their approach. As the report of the firing upon the militia at 
Lexington spread with almost lightning rapidity, from the ring- 
ing of bells, firing of signal guns, &c., the country was soon in 
arms. Finding themselves reinforced, the Concord militia ad- 
vanced, and a skirmish ensued, in which several were killed on 
both sides. The British troops, seeing that they were to have 
hot work, as almost every male citizen between the ages of ten 
and eighty were arming for the fight, began to retreat. In their 
course they were fired upon from all manner of concealments. 
Every stone-wall, tree, stump, rock, old barn or workshop, 
sent forth its unerring bullet into the ranks of the enemy. Had 
not the British been reinforced by about 900 men under Lord 
Percy, few of the first detachment would ever have reached Bos- 
ton alive. The British loss in this battle, called the battle of 
Lexington because it commenced and much of it was fought in 
that town, in killed w^ounded and prisoners, was 273 ; and that 
of the Provincials, 87. General Gage had thought, previous to 
the battle of Lexington, that five regiments of British infantry 
could march from Maine to Georgia. Possibly he had entered 
the riglit school, to learn how to appreciate American valor with 
more certainty. Thus closed the opening scene of a tragedy, 
destined to last eight long years. The news of this battle spread 
rapidly through the New England provinces. The plow was left 
in the furrow — the chisel in the mortice — the iron in the forge ; 
and the hand that had placed it there, grasped the missile of death, 
and hastened to the vicinity of Boston. In a few days, a large 
army was assembled under the command of Generals Ward of 
Massachusetts, and Putnam of Connecticut, and closely invested 
the town. 

While matters stood thus, in and around Boston, a plan for 



192 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

the capture of the fortresses of Ticonderoga, Crown Point and 
Skeenesborough, now Whitehall, commanding the route of mter- 
communication between the colonies and Canada ; was conceiv- 
ed and boldly executed. The fortresses were all surprised and 
captured, as was a sloop of war near the outlet of Lake George, 
without bloodshed, by colonels Ethan Allen, and Seth Warner, 
with two hundred and thirty Green Mountain boys, and officers 
Dean, Wooster, Parsons, and Arnold, and forty other brave 
spirits of Connecticut. On the evening of the 10th of May, as 
the invaders approached Ticonderoga, a sentinel snapped his gun 
at Colonel Allen and retreated, followed by the latter and his 
brave comrades. On gaining possession of the fortress, the com- 
mander was found napping. Colonel Allen demanded of him 
the immediate surrender of the fort. " By what authority, sir ?" 
It is possible the thought may not have entered the mind of the 
rebel chieftain, that such a question would be propounded ; but 
his fruitful genius instantly prompted the following, singular, and 
laconic reply — "In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Con- 
tinental Co7igress." As may be supposed, the summons was 
from too high a power to be resisted. 

A minute account of the battle of Lexington, with depositions 
to prove that the British troops shed the first blood, were trans- 
mitted without delay to England, by the provincial legislature of 
Massachusetts then in session ; closing with the following sen- 
tence : Jifpealing to Heaven for the justice of our cause, we de- 
termine to die, or be free. The Colonial Congress again assem- 
bled, on the very day their authority had been so successfully an- 
ticipated, by the intrepid Allen at Ticonderoga. Preparations 
at this time, were every where being made in the colonies, for 
the maintenance of the stand taken against oppression, by a resort 
to arms. A new impulse seemed given to the spirit of opposi- 
tion, by the defeat of the British troops at Lexington, and the 
capture of the northern military posts ; but a majority of Con- 
gress, had not as yet formed the resolve, to aim at a final sepa- 
ration from the mother country. John Hancock, in consequence 
of his having been proscribed by the British government, was 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 193 

chosen president of this Congress. As military preparations were 
making, a resort to arms had commenced, and it was pretty- 
evident that others must follow ; Congress saw the necessity of 
giving to those preparations a head, and most fortunately ap- 
pointed THE world's model MAN GeoRGE WASHINGTON, tO that 

honorable post. He received the appointment of commander-in- 
chief while a member of Congress, on the 22d of May, and be- 
gan immediately to prepare for his laborious duties. He arrived 
at the American camp on the 3d day of July. Georgia having 
sent delegates to the Congress of 1775, all the colonies were then 
represented. 

Early in June, several transports filled with troops under the 
command of generals Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne, arrived at 
Boston. On the 17th, the battle of Breed's, now called Bunker's 
hill, was fought. An intrenchment was thrown up on the pre- 
ceding evening, by a body of one thousand men under Colonel 
Prescot. The intention was to have fortified Bunker's hill, but 
the oflficers sent to throw up the redoubt, found that less tenable, 
and built the fortification on Breed's hill. Ground was broken 
at twelve o'clock at night, and by daylight a redoubt had been 
thrown up eight rods square. In the morning, a reinforcement 
of five hundred men was sent to their assistance. Although a 
heavy cannonading was kept up from daylight by the British 
shipping, the Americans, encouraged by General Putnam and 
other brave officers, did not cease their labors. About noon^ 
General Gage, astonished at the boldness of the American mih- 
tia, sent a body of three thousand regulars, under Generals Howe 
and Pigot, to storm the works. Generals Clinton and Burgoyne, 
took a station in Boston, where they had a commanding view of 
the hill. The towers of the churches — the roofs of the houses — 
indeed every eminence in and around Boston, was covered with 
anxious spectators ; many of whom had dear relatives exposed 
to the known danger, awaiting with almost breathless anxiety 
the deadly conflict. Many, and heart-felt were the prayers then 
offered up, for the success of the patriot band. About the time 
the action commenced. General Warren, who was president of the 



194 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIfi COUNTY, 

Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, joined the Americans on 
the hill as a volunteer. The British troops, having landed from 
their boats, marched to attack the works. The Americans, re- 
serving their fire until the white of the eye was visible, then open- 
ed a most destructive one, dealing death on every hand. Indeed, 
rank after rank was cut down, like grass before the mower. 
The enemy wavered, and soon retreated in disorder down the hill. 
Then might doubtless have been heard a stifled murmur of ap- 
plause, among the eye witnesses in Boston, who believed their 
countrymen fighting a just cause. And then too, might have 
been seen the lip of the British officer and rank tory, compress- 
ed with anger and mortification. While this attack was in pro- 
gress, the fire-brand of the licensed destroyer, by the diabolical 
order of Gen. Gage, was communicated to the neighboring vil- 
lage of Charlestown, containing some six hundred buildings, and 
the whole in a short time were reduced to ashes ; depriving about 
two thousand inhabitants of a shelter, and destroying property 
amounting to more than half a million of dollars. The British offi- 
cers with much difficulty, again rallied their troops, and led them 
a second time to the attack. They were allowed to approach 
even nearer than before ; when the Americans, having witnessed 
the conflagration of Charlestown, themselves burning to revenge 
the houseless mother and orphan, sent the messenger of death 
among their ranks. The carnage became a second time too great 
: for the bravery of the soldier — the ranks were broken, and the 
enemy again retreated, some even taking refuge in the boats. 
When the British troops wavered a second time, Clinton, vexed 
at their want of success, hastened to their assistance with a re- 
inforcement. On his arrival, the men were again rallied, and 
compelled, by the officers, who marched in their rear with 
drawn swords, to renew the attack. At this period of the con- 
test, the ammunition of the Americans failed, and the enemy 
entered the redoubt. Few of the former had bayonets, yet for 
a while they continued the unequal contest with clubbed muskets, 
but were finally overpowered. The American loss in numbers, 
was inconsiderable until the enemy scaled the works. They 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 1 95 

were forced to retreat over Charlestown Neck, a narrow isthmus 
which was raked by an incessant fire from several floating bat- 
teries. Fortunately, few were killed in crossing the Neck. The 
following anecdote is characteristic of Bunker bravery : While 
the Americans were retreating from the hill across Charlestown 
Neck, Timothy Cleveland, of Canterbury, Ct., was marching 
with others with trailed arms, when a grape shot struck the 
small part of the breech of his gun-stock, and cut it off. He 
had proceeded several rods before he was aware of his loss — 
but ran back and picked it up, declaring, " The darned British 
shall have no part of my gun.'' The gun-stock was repaired 
with a tin band, and was long after in the service of its patriotic 
owner, who was from the same county and under the command 
of Gen. Putnam. — Joseph Simms. The British loss in this, 
which was the first regular fought battle in the Revolution, was, 
in killed and wounded, one thousand and jifty-four, including 
many officers, among whom was Major Pitcairn of Lexington 
memory.* The American loss in killed and wounded, was four 
hundred and fifty-three ; and among the former was the talent- 
ed, the kind-hearted and zealous patriot, Gen. Warren; who 
received a musket bullet through the head. He was a distin- 
guished physician in Boston, and warmly espoused the cause of 
his country, and yielded his life a willing sacrifice in her defence ; 
undying he his memory in the American heart ! 

What a scene of sublime grandeur must this battle have pre- 
sented, to the citizens of Boston and the surrounding hills ! The 
roar of cannon and musketry — the clashing of steel, as hand to 
hand the foeman met — the groans of the wounded and dying — 
the shouts of the combatants — the dense cloud of smoke which 
enveloped the peninsula, lit up transversely by streams of death- 
boding fire — the sheet of flame and crash of burning buildings 
and falling towers at Charlestown — the intense anxiety of those 
interested for the safety of friends and their property — the proba- 

* For some further particulars relating to this battle, and ihe death of 
Pitcairn, see a sketch of the personal character of Gen. James Dana, insert- 
ed under Cobelskill. 



196 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ble effect of that day's transactions, on the future prosperity of 
the colonies — combined to render it one of the most thrilling 
spectacles mortal eye ever witnessed. The British trumpeted this 
battle as a victory. " If they call this a victory, how many such 
can the British army achieve without ruin ?" asked the Ameri- 
cans. 

The following anecdotes of the battle of Bunker's Hill, I find 
in a letter from Col. John Trumbull, the artist, to Daniel Putnam, 
a son of Gen. Israel Putnam, dated New York, March 30th, 1818. 
The letter is published in a reply of the latter to an unkind at- 
tack made by Gen. Dearborn, some time previous, in a public 
journal, in which the imputation of cowardice was cast upon the 
brave " Old Put" — who always dared to lead where any dared to 
follow. The writer, though a native of the same county in which 
the old hero died, never heard of but one act in his adventurous 
life which evinced a want of judgment, and that was far from a 
cowardly one. It was that of his " entering a cavern to kill a 
wolf, and leaving his gun outside," until he entered a second time. 

Says Trumbull : 

" In the summer of 1786, I became acquainted, in London, with 
Col. John Small, of the British army, who had served in America 
many years, and had known General Putnam intimately during 
the war of Canada from 1756 to 1763. From him, I had the two 
following anecdotes respecting the battle of Bunker Hill : I shall 
nearly repeat his words. Looking at the picture which I had then 
almost completed, he said : ' I don't like the situation in which you 
have placed my old friend Putnam ; you have not done him jus- 
tice. I wish you would alter that part of your picture, and intro- 
duce a circumstance which actually happened, arid which I can 
never forget. When the British troops advanced the second time 
to the attack of the redoubt, I, with the other British officers, was 
in front of the line to encourage the men : we had advanced very 
near the works undisturbed, when an irregular fire, like a feu-de- 
joie, was poured in upon us ; it was cruelly fatal. The troops fell 
back, and when I looked to the right and left, I saw not one officer 
standing ; — I glanced my eye to the enemy, and saw several young 
men leveling their pieces at me ; I knew their excellence as marks- 
men, and considered myself gone. At that moment, my old friend 
Putnam rushed forward, and striking up the muzzles of their pieces 
with his sword, cried out, "For God's sake, my lads, don't fire at 
that man — I love him as I do my brother." We were so near 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 197 

each other that I heard his words distinctly. He was obeyed ; I 
bowed, thanked him, and walked away unmolested.' " 

The other anecdote relates to the death of Gen. Warren : 

" At the moment when the troops succeeded in carrying the re- 
doubt, and the Americans were in full retreat, Gen. Howe (who 
had been hurt by a spent ball, which bruised his ancle,) was lean- 
ing on my arm. He called suddenly to me : ' Do you see that ele- 
gant young man who has just fallen? Do you know him?' I 
looked to the spot towards which he pointed — ' Good God, sir, I 
believe it is my friend Warren.' ' Leave me then instantly — run ; 
keep off the troops, save him if possible.' I flew to the spot : 'My 
dear friend,' I said to him, 'I hope you are not badly hurt.' He 
looked up, seemed to recollect me, smiled and died ! A musket- 
ball had passed through the upper part of his head." 

The Congress which met in the summer of 1775, had not yet 
determined to throw off all allegiance to the British crown, and 
in July of that year, prepared a declaration of American griev- 
ances for the preceding ten years, with the causes which had led 
to them. They also drew up a respectful address to the King, in 
which they avowed boldly, that they were " resolved to die free- 
men rather than live slaves." This Congress established a gener- 
al post office and general hospital, and resolved to emit a paper 
currency. Its proceedings, however, effected nothing towards 
healing the difficulties with the mother country. In November, 
the House of Lords, at the motion of the duke of Richmond, met 
to interrogate ex-governor Penn, who had been two years gover- 
nor of Pennsylvania. He stated, in reply to certain questions, 
that he had resided four years in the colonies — that he was per- 
sonally acquainted with all the members of the American Con- 
gress — that the colonists were united — were, to considerable ex- 
tent, prepared for war — could make powder, small arms and can- 
non — were more expert at ship-building than Europeans — and 
that if a formidable force was sent to America, the number of co- 
lonists who would be found to join it, would be too trivial to be 
of any consequence. The duke of Richmond then proposed the 
last petition of Congress to the King, as a base for a plan of ac- 
commodation, and urged the impossibility of ever conquering 
America, as the learned John Wilkes had emphatically done in 

14 



198 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

the House of Commons, the preceding February : but the motion 
was lost. In December, Mr. Ilartlc7 made an ellort to have hos- 
tilities suspended : and in the following February, Mr. Fox at- 
tempted the same thing ; soon after which, the King, by a treaty 
with the Prince of Hesse Cassel, made an arrangement to hire 
sixteen thousand troops of that Prince, to aid in subduing his 
American subjects. It was urged in vain, that they were setting 
the example for the colonies to call in foreign aid. In March of 
1776, the duke of Grafton made another ineffectual attempt to 
open the eyes of the King and ministry, after which war was con- 
sidered as actually declared. It was thought by the court party, 
that one or two campaigns at most, would bring America in sack- 
cloth and ashes at the foot of the British throne. 

In 1775, the colonics adopted a plain red flag. By a resolution 
of Congress, the flag of the United States, consisting of thirteen 
stars and thirteen stripes, was adopted June 14th, 1777. On the 
13th January, 1794, two new states having been added to the 
compact, the stars and stripes were increased to fifteen each. In 
January, 1817, by an act of Congress, it was resolved that it 
should consist of thirteen stripes, and a star for every additional 
state. 

If matters were every day becoming worse in England, in the 
latter part of the year 1775, and the early part of '76, they were 
assuming an aspect no more favorable to a reconciliation in the 
colonies. Many events had transpired after the battle of Bunker's 
hill, which served to feed the Hame of discord. Lord Dunmore, 
governor of Virginia, had pursued a course which rendered him 
not only odious to a majority of the colonists, but which tended 
greatl}' to unite the anti-tea party. The governor of North Ca- 
rolina, also proved himself to be a tool of the British ministry : 
while Governor Tryon, of New York, in his eflbrts to please his 
master, became so unpopular, that he was obliged, in the course 
of the year to follow the example of Gov. Dunmore, and seek 
personal safety on board of an armed vessel. 

The British, in 1775, burnt Stonington in Connecticut, Bristol 
in Rhode Island, and Falmouth in Massachusetts; and during the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 199 

same year, the colonists, in several expeditions, had conquered a 
good part of Canada. Lord Dunrnore, governor of Virginia, had 
for some time been arming the slaves, and instigating them to im- 
brue their hands in the blood of their masters ; and on the first of 
January, 1776, he burnt Norfolk. On the 17th of March follow- 
ino-, the British havina: been compelled to evacuate Boston, 
Washington entered it, to the great joy of its patriotic citizens. 
A fleet under Sir Peter Parker, with several thousand British and 
Hessian troops, arrived on the coast of America early that year. 
Sir Henry Clinton, after leaving Boston, intended to take posses- 
sion of New York, but finding General Lee there to oppose hira, 
he sailed with the British fleet to attack Charleston, South Caro- 
lina. Lee, learning his intentions, managed to arrive there before 
him, and prepare the city for an attack. A fort was quickly 
thrown up on Sullivan's Island, of palmetto trees and sand, com- 
manding the entrance to the harbor. 

On the 31st of May, the enemy under Commodore Parker and 
Sir Henry Clinton, attacked it with a strong forcC; but were re- 
pulsed with severe loss, by the troops under Col. Moultrie^ whose 
name it afterwards bore. The conduct of tvi^o sergents, Jasper 
and McDonald, deserves particular notice. 

Says the biographer of Marion : " A ball from the enemy's 
ships carried away our flagstaff. Scarcely had the stars of liberty 
touched the sand, before Jasper flew and snatched them up and 
kissed them with great enthusiasm. Then having fixed them to 
the point of his spontoon, [a kind of spear,] he leaped upon the 
breast-work amidst the storm and fury of the battle, and restored 
them to their daring station — waving his hat at the same time 
and huzzaing, 'God save liberty and my country forever P A 
cannon shot from one of the enemy's guns entered a port-hole 
and dreadfully mangled McDonald, while fighting like a hero at 
his gun. As he was borne off in a dying state, he said to his 
comrades, " Huzza, my brave fellows ! 1 die, but donH Id the cause 
of liberty die with me.'" The day after the action, many citizens 
of Charleston of the first rank of both sexes visited the fort, to 
fender in person their thanks for its gallant defence, and by it 



200 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

their own protection. Among them was Gov. Rutledge, dis- 
tinguished for his patriotic zeal and devotion to the cause of his 
country. In the presence of the regiment to which Jasper be- 
longed, he loosed his own sword and presented it to him, tender- 
ing him at the time a commission. The brave sergeant with 
heart-felt thanks declined accepting the latter, because he could 
not read. Let parents who neglect to educate their children, 
consider well the reason this young man gave, for not accepting 
proffered honor. Nor was this a solitary case, hundreds of dar- 
ing spirits in the course of the war, were obliged to decline for 
the same reason the laurels their own valor had won, and see 
them adorn the brow of their less meritorious brethren. 

A Mrs. Elliot, (whose husband was colonel of artillery.) on the 
occasion above referred to, presented the regiment with a beauti- 
ful American standard, richly embroidered by her own hands. 
It was delivered to Jasper, who, on receiving it, declared he 
never would fart with in life. He kept his promise ; for some 
time after in an effort to bear off those colors in an attack on 
Savannah, he was mortally wounded. A short time before his 
death, he was visited by Major Horry. He spoke with freedom 
of his past life and future prospects, and dwelt with evident sa- 
tisfaction on the virtues of his mother. How true it is, that 
mothers generally lay the foundation for man's future greatness — 
future happiness. The last moments of many a poor soldier and 
weather-beaten tar, have added their testimonny to the fact, that 
lasting advice may generally be traced to the affectionate and 
pious mother. Jasper sent the sword presented him by Gov. 
Rutledge, to his father, as a dying memento of his own patriot- 
ism. He also left with Major Horry his tender regards for the 
Jones family,* in whose fate he had, by a daring exploit, become 

• His acquaintance with the Joneses originated as follows: 
In disguise, and accompanied by his trusty friend Newton, he visited a 
British post at Ebenezer, where they tarried several days. Before leaving, 
they learned that a parly of ten or twelve American prisoners were confined 
there in irons, to be sent back to Savannah, from whence some of them had 
deserted the British service. The friends begged permission to see them, 
among whom were a Mr. Jones, his weeping wife, and smiling boy. The 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 201 

interested; giving evidence in death, that a just reward attends 
the good deeds of the virtuous. 

About the time the attack was made on Fort Moultrie, Con- 
gress appointed Dr. Frankhn, Samuel Chase and Charles Carroll 
commissioners to carry addresses into Canada, but they affected 
very little ; the Canadians being then, as they have ever since 
been, too loyal to appreciate liberty. 

Early in May, 1776, Congress took measures to sound the co- 
lonies on the propriety of casting off all allegiance to the mother 
country. Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, gave notice that on a 
future day he would move for a declaration of Independence. 
Fj om the time of his notice the press proved a powerful auxiliary 
in the popular cause. Many essays and pamphlets were publish- 
ed and distributed on the subject, and one from the pen of Thomas 
Paine, entitled Common Sense, aided much in preparing public 
opinion to sanction the step about to be taken. On the 1st of 
July it was introduced, and the three following days it was ably 
discussed, when the vote was taken and six states were enrolled 
for and six against the declaration, and one equally divided. One 
of the delegates from Pennsylvania, it is said, was influenced to 
leave the House, and thus a majority of one vote in a committee 

two friends were much interested in the fate of the Joneses, and soon after 
left the camp and retired to a neighboring wood, where they pledged their 
lives to rescue the prisoners or perish in the attempt. They remained in the 
British camp until the prisoners, under a guard of a sergeant, corporal, and 
eight soldiers set forward for Savannah. About two miles from the place 
of destination, Jasper and Newton secreted themselves near a spring, a little 
distance from the road, where the party soon after halted. Watching their 
opportunity, they sprang from they covert, and seizing two muskets that 
were resting against a tree, they shot two soldiers who were keeping guard, 
and reached them in time to strike down with clubbed muskets, two others 
who were in the act of taking up their arms. Seizing the tv,'o loaded guns 
they gained command of those left by five of the party near the road, and 
the other six surrendered themselves prisoners. The heroes liberated the 
captive Americans, and placing guns in their hands, after stripping the four 
dead soldiers, led the party in salety to the American garrison at Purysburg. 
When the affray at the spring commenced, Mrs. Jones fainted to the earth, 
but recovering and finding her husband and boy safe, she became frantic 
with joy, and viewing her deliverers in the light of angels, she called down 
heaven's blessings upon them. 



202 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

of the whole, decided the fate of the declaration. Thomas Jef- 
ferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and R. 
R. Livingston were appointed to draft a Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Each prepared one, but that of Jefferson was, with a few 
slight alterations, adopted, on the fourth of July, 1776 ; and read 
as follows. 

"THE UNANIMOUS DECLARATION OF THE THIRTEEN 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary 
for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected 
them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, 
the separate and equal station to which the law^s of nature and of 
nature's God entitle them, a decent respect for the opinions of 
mankind requires, that they should declare the causes which im- 
pel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evi- 
dent — that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by 
their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these 
are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure 
these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their 
just powers from the consent of the governed ; that when any form 
of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of 
the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new govern- 
ment, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its 
powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect 
their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that 
governments long established should not be changed for light and 
transient causes ; and accordingl}^ all experience hath shown, that 
mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, 
than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are 
accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, 
pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce 
them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to 
throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their 
future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these 
colonies ; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to 
alter their former system of government. The history of the pre- 
sent king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and 
usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an ab- 
solute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be sub- 
mitted to a candid world. 

" He has refused his assent to laws the most Avholesome and ne- 
cessary for the public good. 

" He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and 
pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation, till his 
assent should be obtained ; and, when so suspended, he has ut- 
terly neglected to attend to them. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 203 

" He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of 
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the 
right of representation in the legislature — a right inestimable to 
them, and formidable to tyrants only. 

" He has called together legislative bodies, at places unusual, 
uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public re- 
cords, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with 
his measures. 

" He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for oppos- 
ing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people. 

" He has refused for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause 
others to be elected ; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of 
annihilation, have returned to the people at large, for their exer- 
cise ; the state remaining, in the meantime, exposed to all the dan- 
ger of invasion from without and convulsions within. 

" He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states, 
for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreign- 
ers ; refusing to pass others, to encourage their migration hither, 
and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands. 

"He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his 
assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers, 

" He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the ten- 
ure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

"He has erected a multitude of offices, and sent here swarms of 
officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. 

"He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, 
without the consent of our legislatures. 

" He has affected to render the military independent of, and su- 
perior to, the civil power. 

" He has combined with others, to subject us to a jurisdiction, 
foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws ; giv- 
ing his assent to their acts of pretended legislation : 

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: 

For protecting them by a mock trial, from punishment for any 
murder they should commit on the inhabitants of these states : 

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world : 

For imposing taxes on us without our consent : 

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by 
jury: 

For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended of- 
fences : 

For abolishing the free system of English law in a neighboring 
province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarg- 
ing its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit in- 
strument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies : 

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, 
and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments : 

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves 
invested with power, to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever : 



204 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his 
protection, and waging war against us. 

" He has phindered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, 
and destroyed the lives of our people. 

" He is, at this time, transporting large armies of foreign mer- 
cenaries, to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, 
already begun, with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy, scarcely 
paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the 
head of a civilized nation. 

" He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken captive on the 
high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the exe- 
cutioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by 
their hands. 

" He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has en- 
deavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless 
Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished 
destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions. 

" In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for re- 
dress, in the most humble terms: our petitions have been answered 
only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked, 
by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of 
a free people. 

" Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British breth- 
ren. We have warned them from time to time, of attempts made 
by their legislature, to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over 
us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emi- 
gration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native 
justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties 
of our common kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would 
inevitably interrupt our connexions and correspondence. They, 
too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and consanguinity. 
We must, therefore, acquiesce in necessity, which denounces our 
separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind — ene- 
mies in war ; in peace, friends. 

" We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of 
America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme 
Judge of the world, for the rectitude of our intentions, DO, in the 
name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, 
solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and 
of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are 
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all po- 
litical connexion between them and the state of Great Britain, is 
and aught to be totally dissolved ; and that as free and independ- 
ent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, con- 
tract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and 
things which independent states may of right do. And for the 
support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



205 



of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, 
our fortunes, and our sacred honor." 

Signed by order and in behalf 'of the Congress. 

JOHN HANCOCK, President. 

Attest. Charles Thompson, Secretary. 



New Hampshire. 
Josiah Bartlett, 
William Whipple, 
Matthew Thornton. 

Massachusetts-Bay . 
Samuel Adams, 
John Adams, 
Robert Treat Paine, 
Elbridge Gerry. 

Rhode Island, S^c. 
Stephen Hopkins, 
William EUery. 

Delaware. 
Csesar Rodney, 
Thomas M'Kean, 
George Read, 

Maryland. 
Samuel Chase, 
William Paca, 
Thomas Stone, 
Charles Caroll of Ca- 
roUtoa. 



Connecticut. 
Roger Sherman, 
Samuel Huntington, 
William Williams, 
Oliver Wolcott. 

New York. 
William Floyd, 
Philip Livingston, 
Francis Lewis, 
Lewis Morris. 

Virginia. 
George Wythe, 
Richard Henry Lee, 
Thomas JefTerson, 
Benjamin Harrison, 
Thomas Nelson, jr. 
Francis Lightfoot Lee, 
Carter Braxton, 

North Carolina. 
William Hooper, 
Joseph Hewes, 
John Penn. 



New Jersey. 
Richard Stockton, 
John Witherspoon, 
Francis Hopkinson, 
John Hart, 
Abraham Clark. 

Pennsylvania. 
Robert Morris, 
Benjamin Franklin, 
Benjamin Rush, 
John Morton, 
George Clymer, 
James Wilson, 
George Ross. 

South Carolina. 
Edward Rutledge, 
Thomas Heyward, jr. 
Thomas Lynch, jr. 
Arthur Middleton. 

Georgia. 
Button Gwinnett, 
Lyman Hall, 
George Walton. 



( 206 ) 



CHAPTER VII. 



While the colonists along the sea-board were beginning to 
realize the horrors of war, most of the frontier settlers were 
spectators for a while — not idle ones however. There was a 
restless anxiety which reached the log tenement of the most dis- 
tant pioneer. Committees of vigilence, whose duty it was to 
gather information relative to the portending storm, and prepare 
for the defence of the settlements, were organized in Tryon 
county as early as 1774. A council of safety was chosen in 
Schoharie not long after. 

At an early period of the difficulties, an effort was made by the 
Schoharie settlers to get the Indians in their neighborhood to re- 
main quiet, and let the colonies settle their own quarrel with the 
mother country. A meeting was held for that purpose at the 
old council ground in Middleburgh. Brant with several Mohawk 
chiefs is said to have been present, on which occasion a Mrs. 
Richtmyer, living in the vicinity, acted as interpreter. The In- 
dians agreed to remain neutral or join the Americans, says an old 
citizen who was present at the time ; but they were too fond of 
war to remain inactive, while the British government was urging 
them at once to take up arms. 

Previous to the Revolution, a small castle had been erected for 
the natives at Brakabeen,* on the west bank of the Schoharie, 
several miles above Wilder hook, to which many of them re- 
moved from the latter place. Near it they had a burying ground. 

A deputation from the Schoharie tribe were present in August, 

• Brakabeen is the German word for rushes, and obtained from the unusual 
quantity of that plant found along the banks of the river at that place. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 207 

1775, when several commissioners met the chiefs of the Six 
Nations at the German Flats ; and it is believed they were at 
Albany, where a subsequent meeting was held the same year, 
for the same purpose. At the time the Indians left the Mohawk 
valley to follow the fortunes of the Johnsons, the Schoharie In- 
dians, who survived a pestilence, except two or three famiUes, 
imitated their example, leaving the council grounds and green 
graves of their fathers. 

Brown says, that while the Indians were assembled to treat 
with the commissioners of the Indian department, a contagious 
disease — which he calls yellow-fever — broke out amongst them, 
which carried them off in great numbers. That the survivors 
superstitiously supposed the Great Spirit was angry with them 
for not serving their king, or for hesitating about entering his 
service; and that consequently they joined the royalists and 
went to Canada. 

Warree, an old Cherokee squaw, said to have been 105 years 
old, usually called the mother of the Schoharies, who was living 
at Brakabeen at the beginning of hostilities, took the prevail- 
ing epidemic in 1775, and died with it. This good old squaw 
who was familiarly called Granny Warree, was the second wife 
of Schenevas, a Schoharie chief, after whom Schenevas creek 
in Otsego county, was called.* For several years before her 

• Brown's pamphlet originates the name of this stream from the following 
circumstance: Two Indians, Schenevas and son, were there in the winter 
on a hunt — a deep snow fell and they concluded to return home. After tra- 
veling some distance, they kindled a fire and tarried over night. The fol- 
lowing morning they set forward on their journey, but the father became 
fatigued, and finally returned to the place from whence they had first started. 
The son, discovering his father had taken the back track, returned also, and 
found him seated by a fire which he had kindled. The son killed his father 
with a tomahawk, buried him in the snow and returned to Schoharie, since 
which time this stream has been called Schenevas creek. 

At a personal interview, Judge Brown related the following tradition, 
which he believed true: A Schoharie chief named Schenevas, whom I sup- 
pose to have been the one killed at the Schenevas creek, was living in the 
lower part of Schoharie. His mother, an aged widow, was living with him. 
She was a quarrelsome old squaw — was very fretful, and often wished her- 
self dead when in a fit of ill humor. Her son, getting out of patience with 
■her, went to Lambert Sternberg and borrowed a shovel, with which he dug 



208 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

death, she used to walk with two canes, a good example for the 
modern exquisite, while her hair, unconfined and white as the 
Alpine snow, floated loosely at the sport of the breeze. When 
she felt the prevailing malady stealing upon her, and witnessed 
its fatal effects upon many of her tribe, believing her days were 
numbered, she desired to be carried to the spot where her hus- 
band had died. She was universally beloved by the whole tribe, 
indeed by all the white citizens who knew her, and her request, 
although it subjected Ihem to great inconvenience in their pre- 
sent difficulties, was readily complied with. She survived the 
journey but a day and two nights, and "was gathered to her 
fathers, to enter new hunting grounds." She was buried by her 
faithful warriors who had carried her the whole distance — fifteen 
or twenty miles — beside her departed husband, near the present 
residence of Mr. Collier. 

It is a remarkable fact, that while a large part of the Scho- 
harie Indians died of this contagious disease, not a sino-le white 
citizen took it. 

Who the first chosen council of safety were in Schoharie, 1 
am unable to say. Johannes Ball, a thorough going Whig, was 
chairman of the committee from its organization to the end 
of the war. It consisted generally of six members, and under- 
went some changes to meet the exigencies of the times. The 
following persons it is believed were members in the course of the 
war : Joseph Borst, Joseph Becker, Peter Becker, Col. Peter 
Vrooman, who is said to have done most of the writing for the 
board, Lt. Col. Peter Zielie, Peter Swart, Wm. Zimmer of 

a grave, in Sternberg's orchard. He then conducted his mother to it. You 
have often wished yourself dead, said he, I have -prepared your grave — you 
must die. When she saw the open grave, and realized that she had been 
taken at her word, she was terrified and began to cry. The savage son told 
her she must not be a hahy — that she was going to the Great Spirit who 
did not lilie babies. He then forced her into the gi-ave — bade her lie down — 
and buried her alive. She struggled hard as the earth covered her, but, -re- 
gardless of her entreaties, he stamped down the earth upon her, and closed 
up the grave. We could wish for poor human nature that those parental 
murders were mere fiction; but we have too much reason to believe them 
true — indeed history furnishes us with abundant evidence of inhuman atro- 
cities in savage life. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 209 

Bfakabeen, Wm. Dietz, Samuel Vrooman^ Nicholas Sternberg, 
Adam Vrooman, George Warner of Cobelskill, and Jacob Zim- 
mer of Foxes creek. 

Mr. Ball, chairman of the Schoharie committee, had two sons, 
Peter and Mattice — who were both living in 1837, in the town 
of Sharon — who, with their father warmly espoused their coun- 
try's cause ; while another son, and his brother. Captain Jacob 
Ball — a leader among the tories at Beaverdam ; and John Peter 
Ball, another relative, as warmly advocated that of the oppressor. 

As appears by the ancient records preserved in the Secretary's 
office at Albany, a regiment of militia was organized for the 
" Schoharie and Duanesburgh districts," as the fifteenth regiment 
of ISIew York militia, and commissions to its officers were issued 
and dated October 20, 1775. It was composed at first of only 
three companies, and as their members were not all well affected 
toward rebellion, and scattered over considerable territory, the 
reader will see their need of foreign assistance. The following 
is a list of olfictrs to whom commissions were at first issued. 

" Peter Vrooman, Col. ; Peter W. Zielie, Lieut. Col. ; Thomas 
Eckerson, Jr. 1st Maj. ; Jost Becker, 2d Maj. ; Lawrence School- 
craft, Adjt. ; Peter Ball, Qr. Master. 

" Fhst Company — George Mann, Capt. ; Christian Stubragh, 
1st Lieut. ; John Dominick, 2d Lieut. ; Jacob Snyder, Ensign. 

" Second Company — Jacob Hager, Capt. ; Martynus Van Slyck, 
1st Lieut, ; Johannes W. Bouck, 2d Lieut. ; Johannes L. Lawyer, 
Ensign. 

" Third Company — George Rechtmyer, Capt. ; Johannes L L'b.w- 
yer, 1st Lieut. ; Martynus W. Zielie, 2d Lieut. ; Johannes Lawyer 
Bellinger, Ensign." 

A small company of militia was afterwards organized in Co- 
belskill, under Capt. Christian Brown and Lieut. Jacob Borst, 
which was possibly attached to the Schoharie regiment. 

On the 14th of June, 1776, I find by the Albany records, that 
Schoharie was represented in the " general committee chamber," 
by chairman Ball and Peter Becker, of the Schoharie council 
of safety. At a meeting of the New York State Committee of 
Safety, convened at Fishkill, October 9, 1776, the following reso- 
lution was adopted — 



210 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" Resolved, That the persons hereafter mentioned, be appointed 
to purchase at the cheapest rate, in their several counties, all the 
coarse woollen cloth, linsey woolsey, blankets, woollen hose, mit- 
tens, coarse linen, felt hats, and shoes fitting for soldiers ; and that 
they have the linen made up into shirts." [The committee named 
for Albany county were] — "Capt. John A. Fonda, of the manor of 
Livingston ; Peter Van Ness, of Claverack ; Barent Van Beuren, 
of Kinderhook ; Isaac V, Arnum, of Albany ; Cors. Cuyler, of 
Schenectada; James McGee and Henry Quackenboss, of the ma- 
nor of Rantselear ; Anthony Van Bergen, of Cocsakie ; Henry 
Oothout, of Katskill ; and Johannes Ball, of Schoharie ; and that 
the sum of 100 pounds be advanced to each of them for purchasing 
the above articles." 

The following oath of allegiance was found among the papers 
of the late Chairman Ball — 

" You shall swear by the holy evangelist of the Almighty God, 
to be a true subject to our continental resolve and Provincial Con- 
gress and committees, in this difficulty existing between Great 
Britain and America, and to answer upon such questions as you 
shall be examined in, so help )^ou God. 

" Derrick Laraway appeared and swore the above mentioned, 
before the chairman and committee, at Schoharie, and signed the 
association, on the 30th day of June, in the year 1776." 

The following papers are copied from a record made by Judge 
Swart some years before his death. They were obtained through 
the politeness of the late Gen. Jacob Hager, and although they 
exhibit personal services, as they will throw some light on Scho- 
harie affairs in the Revolution, I give them an insertion. 

" JYames of the Persons that made resistance in 1777, against 
McDonald and his Party." 

The Hager Family.* Peter Zielie, jr. Storm Becker jr. 

Peter Vrooman, [Col.] Thomas Eckerson, John H. Becker, 
Jonas Vrooman, Thomas Eckerson jr. John I. Becker, 

Peter Swart, [after- [Maj.] David Becker, 

wards judge,] George Richtmyer, Albertus Becker, 

Peter A. Vrooman, Cornelius Van Dyck, Peter Zielie, [Lt. Col.] 
Peter Powlus Swart, Tunis Eckerson, Peter Van Slyck, 

Abraham Becker, Cornelius Eckerson, Martinus Zielie, 
John A. Becker, Hendrick Becker, Peter Becker, 

Storm A. Becker, John S. Becker, Christian Richtmyer. 

John Van Dyck, 

• It is a fact worthy of note, that while members of almost every family of 
distinction in the Scnoharie sellleraenls were found in hostile array, as father 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 211 

The preceding memorandum embraces few if any names of in- 
dividuals north of the present limits of Middleburgh ; although 
there were many patriots about Foxes creek, and the Schoharie 
valleys farther north, and not a few in tlie more distant set- 
tlements. The party named assembled at Middleburgh, and be- 
gan fortifying the stone house of John Becker, afterwards picket- 
ed in, and occupied as the middle fort. The record of Swart thus 
continues : 

" I was enrolled in the militia at sixteen years of age ; [this was 
the lawful age for enrolling at that period] served as a private six 
months ; then I was appointed a corporal — served in that capacity 
about one year; then I was appointed sergeant in Capt. Hager's 
company; 1778, I was appointed ensign in said company, in the 
room of John L. Lawyer; 1786, I was promoted to first major of 
the regiment; 1798, 1 was promoted to lieut. colonel com't; 1784 
I was appointed justice of the peace without my knowledge ; 1796 
I was appointed one of the judges of the county, which office I 
have resigned 1818; 1798 I was elected a member of assembly ; 
the next election I was solicited to stand again as a candidate, 
which I utterly refused ; 1806 I was elected a member of Con- 
gress. I was afterwards again requested to stand as a candidate 
for Congress, which I refused ; when John Gebhard, Judge Shep- 
ard, and Boyd were candidates for Congress. Gebhard and 
Shepard met with their friends at the Court House for one of 
them to give way ; no arrangement could be made ; they both 
signed a written declaration to give way in case I would accept a 
nomination, which I also refused. 1816 I was elected a senator. 
At the expiration of my time I was again requested to stand a can- 
didate for the senate, which I also refused. I never craved or re- 
quested an office. 

" I was one of the first that signed the compact and association. 
1776 I turned out to Stone Arabia to check the progress of the 
enemy and tories. In the fall of the same year, I turned out to 
Albany, from thence to Fort Edward, from thence to Johnstown, 
to check the enemy. 1777, in the spring, I turned out to Har- 
persfield, from thence to the Delaware to take up disaffected, from 
there home. Three days home, I went down the Hellenbergh to 
take tories; after we had together about twenty-five of them, 
went to Albany and delivered them in jail. A few days after- 
wards went to Harpersfield ; from thence to Charlotte river to take 

against son, brother against brother, &,c., all the members of the Hager fa- 
mily at once united with those who were unfurling to the winds of Heaven. 
the stars and stripes of freedom. From Ihe number of Beckers on this list, 
we may reasonably suppose that few of that name were tories. 



212 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

McDonald, and send him to jail. In August 1777, was one of the 
thirty-two that made a stand to oppose McDonald and his party. 
I was one of the two that risked our lives to crowd through the 
tories' guns to go to Albany for assistance ; was taken prisoner by 
the Indians and tories ; the same evening I made my escape.* I 
was one of the six councillors that went from the stone house 
across Schoharie creek into the woods in a cave, to consult what 
measures to adopt — secresy at that time was the best policy.! 
Did not McDonald and his party come down as far as my house, 
and there encamp till next day, and destroy every thing ? I had 
left home. The same day McDonald and his party were defeated 
and fled into the woods, and went off to Canada, and about twenty- 
six from Brakabeen went with him. What would have been the 
result if our small party had made no resistance, and had tamely 
submitted ? McDonald would have marched through Schoharie, 
and in all probability reached Albany. What was the conse- 
quence as far as he came down ? Was not the farm of Adam 
Crysler confiscated ? Also the farm of Adam Bouck and brothers ? 
Also the farm of Frederick Bouck ? Also the farm of Bastian 
Becker ? Also the farm of John Brown ? Also the farm of Hen- 
drick Mattice ? Also the farm of Nicholas Mattice, and a number 
of others that were indicted ? And a number more that had 
joined McDonald and fired on our men." 

Peter and Mattice Ball, as their father was chairman of com- 
mittee, were subjected to much arduous duty, and consequently 
were often pressed into unexpected service. Peter Ball related 
to the author the following melancholy incident. He had been 
sent to Ticonderoga with a sleigh load of stores for the army, 
during the winter preceding Burgoyne's campaign. While re- 
turning, in company with other sleighs which had been there for 
the same purpose, the horses attached to one of them, which was 
driven by a boy and contained six soldiers, took fright at the 
sound of a drum in one of the sleighs. They were driving upon 
ice at the time, and if I mistake not, they were on the Hudson, 

* Swart and his neighbor, Ephraim Vrooman, were sent to Albany for aid, 
by Col. Vrooman, and started on foot, supposed the day before Col. Harper 
did, and arrived there almost as soon. They were detained on their way, by 
coming unexpectedly upon a party of armed royalists ; but finally escaped 
from them and pursued their journey. 

t The stone house to which he alludes, was that of John Becker, after- 
wards fortified as the middle fort. The cave, or place of concealment, for- 
merly called "the committee hole," was on the opposite side of the river 
from Middleburgh, in a ravine between the mountains. 



r 
AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 213 

near Saratoga. When the horses started, one of the men took 
the reins from the boy, who jumped out and escaped \ but the 
soldiers and horses broke through the ice and were all drowned. 
Ball assisted in recovering the bodies of the soldiers, and conveyed 
them to Albany in his sleigh. 

Once he carried a load of powder in a wagon to Lake George ; 
three other loads went at the same time, and all were guarded by 
military from Albany. On two other occasions, he was sent to 
Fort Edward with flour from Schoharie, and was pressed to take 
loads from there to Lake George. On those occasions he had to 
lie out nights, and suffered from cold. 

Chairman Ball resided about half a mile north of the stone 
church in Schoharie, known, when fortified in the Revolution, as 
the Lower Fort. His son, Wilhelmus Ball, now resides on the 
same ground. Peter Ball once playfully remarked to the author, 
that his father had nino. children by his first wife, and only Un by 
his second. 

Several anecdotes of interest are told of Chairman Ball. His 
neighbor, George Mann, who was a captain of mihtia, kept a 
public house where Cornelius Vrooman now lives, and warmly 
advocated royalty. His house was made the rallying point for To- 
ries and Indians in the year 1776 and early part of '77, to con- 
sider the past and plan fulurQ operations. The individuals of this 
stamp who usually met there, neither liked Johannes Ball nor his 
politics. It was therefore thought best to get him out of the way 
if possible : indeed, it was afterwards asserted and confidently be- 
lieved, that^ye hundred guineas were offered by an agent of the 
king for his destruction. David Ogeyonda, a subtle Schoharie 
warrior, who had a hut on the lands of Adam Vrooman, and who 
had been for some time active for the Tories, doing the duties of 
a runner, spy, &c., was to be the instrument of his death. Ball 
was to be invited to the house of Mann, under the pretence of 
having important business to transact with him, or some one else 
when David was to provoke him to a quarrel, and thus have a 
plausible pretext to kill him. Hostilities had not yet gone so far 
in Schoharie, that either party felt justified in imbruing their 

15 



214 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

hands In the blood of an old neighbor, without the show of cause. 
Ball went to the house of Mann, at the appointed time, taking 
the precaution to go armed with a brace of loaded pistols. He 
found that the business was of httle importance, but that the In- 
dian, David, was determined to quarrel with him. As the savage 
not unfrequently seized the handle of a long knife worn in his 
girdle, he suspected his motive and made good his escape ; keep- 
ing a chair with one hand between his enemy and himself until 
he reached the door, while the other hand rested upon a pistol. 
This transaction took place but a short time previous to the death 
of this Indian, as will appear hereafter. 

It had been the usual custom for ministers of the gospel, to re- 
member the king in their prayers on the Sabbath, previous to the 
commencement of difficulties. One Sunday, as Chairman Ball 
was leaving the stone church, just before the outbreak of hostili- 
ties, when the excitement of stifled feeling was scarcely controlled, 
he said to one of his "Whig neighbors, who was standing so near 
old doraine Schuyler that the latter could hear the remark, " the 
domine does not dare to pray for King George any more, and for 
Congress he will not pray." Schuyler usually preached in Low 
Dutch at Middleburgh, and in German at Schoharie. 

Col. Peter Vrooraan, one of the Schoharie committee, was a 
major of militia before the revolution. He was a captain in the 
French war, and assisted in erecting fortifications at Oswego. If 
not as energetic as some officers, he was far from being as pusil- 
lanimous as represented in the Jlnnals of Tryon County, or 
Stone's Life of Brant. The old soldiers who served under 
him, represent him as having been a bold and determined man, 
and his conduct on several occasions during the war, gave good 
evidence of that fact. He was very much respected in the coun- 
ty, and is said to have been nineteen years a member of either the 
senate or assembly of New York. An attempt was made to 
take him prisoner during the war. A liberal reward had been 
offered for his apprehension. A meeting of the council of safety- 
was to take place at his house, and supposing he would remain 
at home, several of the enemy had secreted themselves, intending 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 215 

io secure his person when the rest of the committee retired. The 
snow was deep and the enemy expected an easy conquest ; but it 
became necessary for him to leave home with his guests, and the 
intentions of the foe were thwarted. 

In 1776, a plan was devised by Governor Tryon, aided by the 
Mayor of New York, to seize the person of Gen. Washington ; 
some of whose guard were in the plot : but the design of the 
enemy was seasonably discovered, and those who were conniving 
with the enemy, executed, — Bancroft's Washington. 

In the fall of 1776, Congress sent Dr. Franklin, Silas Dean 
and Arthur Lee as commissioners to the court of France for aid : 
and also resolved to build a navy. 

The year 1776 closed without any thing remarkable occurring 
to disturb, unusually, the peace of the frontier settlements. After 
the Declaration of Independence, events transpired in other places, 
involving the safety of the republic. In August, the whole of 
Long Island fell into the hands of the enemy, and in September, 
the city of New York followed the same fate.* 

* The masterly retreat of Gen. Washington with his armj' across the East 
river from Brooklyn to New York, is thus related by Major, afterwards Col. 
Benjamin Tallmadge, in his military journal : " In the face of many diffi- 
culties, the Commander-in-chief so arranged his business, that on the eve- 
ning of the 29th, [Aug.] by 10 o'clock, the troops began to retire from the 
lines in such a manner that no chasm was made in the line, but as one regi- 
ment left their station on guard, the remaining troops moved to the right and 
left, and filled up the vacancies, while Gen. Washington took his station at 
the ferry, and superintended the embarkation of the troops. It was one of 
the most anxious, busy nights that I ever recollect, and being the third in 
which hardly any of us had closed our eyes to sleep, we were all greatly fa- 
tigued. As the dawn of the next day approached, those of us who remained 
in the trenches became very anxious for our own safety, at which time there 
were several regiments still on duty. At this time a very dense fog began to 
rise, and it seemed to settle in a peculiar manner over both encampments. I 
recollect this peculiar, providential occurrence perfectly well, and so very 
dense was the atmosphere, that I could scarcely discern a man at six yards 
distance. When the sun rose we had just received orders to leave the lines, 
but before we reached the ferry, the Commander-in-chief sent one of bis aids 
to order the regiment back to its former station. Col. Chester immediately 
faced about and returned to the lines, where we tarried until the sun had 
risen, but the fog remained as dense as ever. Finally, the second order ar- 
rived for the regiment to retire, and we very joyfully bid those trenches a 



216 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

I shall have repeatedly to speak of the diihculty the Americans 
experienced in procuring a supply of the munilirns of war. The 
followino^ anecdote will show that it extended to small concerns. 
In the early part of the contest, gun-Jlints were so scarce, that 
troops while performing the manual exercise, substituted wooden 
ones for those of silex. While James Williamson was on duty 
one moonlight night in 1776, on Long Island off Gardiner's Isl- 
and, as piquet guard, he saw an armed barge approaching the 
shore near him from one of the British ships off the Island. He 
instantly raised his piece and cocked it, when, to his chagrin, he 
found it had a wooden flint in the lock. The men in the barge, 
who were sufficiently near to see the leveled musket, ignorant of 
its harmless condition, shifted their course without attempting to 
land. — James Williamson. 

The defeat of the Americans on Long Island and the loss of 
New York, were succeeded by a catalogue of disasters, which 
tended to make the royalists more bold, and greatly to dishearten 
the Americans. Several hundred houses were destroyed in New 
York by fire, soon after the British took that city. In November, 
Forts Washington and Lee, situated nearly opposite each other on 

long adieu. When we reached Brooklyn ferry the boats had not returned 
from their last trip, but they very soon appeared and took the whole regi- 
ment over to New York ; and I think I saw Gen. Washington on the ferry 
stairs when I stepped into one of the last boats that received the troops. I 
left my horse tied to a post at the ferry. 

" The troops having all safely reached New York, and the fog continuing 
as thick as ever, I began to think of my favorite horse, and requested leave 
to return and bring him off. Having obtained permission, I called for a crew 
of volunteers to go with me, and guiding the boat myself, I obtained my 
horse and got off some distance into the river before the enemy appeared in 
Brooklyn. As soon as they reached the ferry, we were saluted merrily from 
their musketry and finally by their field pieces, but we returned in safely. In 
the history of warfare, I do not recollect a more fortunate retreat. After all, 
the providential appearance of the fog saved a part of our army from being 
captured, and myself, for certain, among others who formed the rear guard. 
Gen. Washington has never received the credit which was due to him for this 
wise and most fortunate measure. When the enemy had taken possession of 
the heights opposite to the city, they commenced firing from the artillery, and 
the fleet pretty soon were in motion to take possession of those waters; had 
this been done a little earlier, this division of our army must inevitably have 
fallen into their hands." 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORE. 217 

the banlcs of the Hudson, about ten miles above New York, which 
commanded the river, fell into the hands of the enemy : the 
former after a most gallant defence, and the latter by being aban- 
doned ; and the Commander-in-chief, unable to oppose a superior 
force, retreated into New Jersey. By the fall of Fort Washing- 
ton, says the diary of Col. Tallmadge, " we lost about three thou- 
sand men, a great part of whom 'perished in prison by severe 
usage, sickness, <^c." While a dark pall seemed spreading around 
the cause of Liberty, Gen. Howe issued a proclamation offering 
pardon to all who would submit to royal authority. The pros- 
pects looked so gloomy, that many of the best citizens of New 
Jersey were induced to sacrifice their feelings — abandon Free- 
dom's cause, and claim British protection. Gen. Washington, 
with the remains of his army, was obliged to retreat over the De- 
laware ; about which time the British gained possession of Rhode 
Island. The sagacious commander, who had seen his troops re- 
peatedly in retreat before a well fed and well clothed enemy, not 
only dbserved their numbers fast lessening by desertion, but also 
the necessity of staying the tide of that enemy's success, and roll- 
ing back the cloud which seemed ready to burst and obscure the 
light of Liberty forever. He resolved to hazard all in one bold 
effort, and on Christmas night he crossed the Delaware at Tren- 
ton, surprised a body of Hessian soldiers — took nearly a thousand 
prisoners, and recrossed the river in safety, with the loss of only 
nine men. 

On the 2d of January, 1777, the main body of the British ar- 
my under Cornwallis, who had hastened on from New York after 
the capture of the Hessians, marched to attack the Americans. 
They encamped near Trenton at night, intending to commence an 
action in the morning, when Washington, knowing the compara- 
tive weakness of his famished troops, conceived and executed an- 
other bold project. After renewing his fires, he left his encamp- 
ment about midnight, and by a circuitous route gained the rear of 
the enemy — pushed on to Princeton, near which place he met and 
defeated a body of them, and again took several hundred prison- 
ers. The enemy finding himself out-generaled, retreated to New 



218 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Brunswick, and the American army went into winter quarters at 
Morristown, New Jersey. The brilliant victories of Trenton and 
Princeton, while they tended with magnetic power to raise the 
drooping spirits of the patriot band — in fact, of the whole Ame- 
rican people — won for their great leader the appellation of the 
American Fahius. Few can realize at this day, the importance 
of those victories to the American arms. For months, a series of 
disasters had attended them, and the stoutest hearts were begin- 
ning to yield to despair. The great and good Washington led 
forth to conquest on those occasions, a half-naked, famished troop 
of heroes, who, under similar circumstances, would have followed 
no other leader. 

Reader ! would you realize the sufferings of that little band of 
patriots, who remained willing to follow the fortunes of your 
bleeeing country, in the darkest hour of her adversity 7 — and by 
so doing arrive at a more just estimate of the value of that liber- 
ty you now enjoy ? Imagine yourself on some of the coldest 
nights of winter, when the wintry winds are moaning around you, 
and the stars are looking coldly from the blue vault above, seated 
by the road side where is passing in silence a body of armed men, 
fatigued, disheartened, ragged, barefooted, faint from want of 
food, and many with limbs frozen from exposure : — and on the 
morrow, go trace their footsteps o'er the frozen ground by their 
own blood ; then tell me if you can guard with too much watch- 
fulness — or look with favor upon any attempt to mar that lib- 
erty 1 

The proverbial caution and prudence of General Washington, 
were perhaps evinced in nothing more visibly during the war, 
than in his general orders to avoid the ill will or needless suffer- 
ing of the citizens. When his cold and wearied troops encamped 
the night after the battle of Princeton, as has been stated by an 
officer who was present, his orders contained this unusual requisi- 
tion — " 710^ to hum the stone walls .'" — tacitly implying, that they 
might, on that one occasion, hum rail fences, which are said to 
have been burned with impunity. 

The enemy having matured his plans during the winter, began 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 2 19 

to move early in the summer of 1777, and expected to make an 
easy conquest of the whole colony of New York. Gen. Burgoyne 
left Crown Point with such an army as he had vauntingly de- 
clared in the British Parliament, he could lead from Maine to 
Georgia ; and wuth it one of the best trains of artillery ever seen 
in America. He was to push his way to Albany along the Hud- 
son. Colonel St. Leger, with a large body of British, Tories and 
Indians, left Oswego about the same time, intending to pillage the 
beautiful valley of the Mohawk, and rest himself after his work 
of destruction, at Albany. Sir Henry Clinton, whose well fed 
troops had been basking in some of the smiles and some of the 
frowns of the New York fair, after doing what mischief he pleased 
along the romantic shores of the Hudson, was to offer his services 
and compliments in person to the citizens of Albany. And lastly 
Captain McDonald, a noted Tory leader — a Scotchman who had 
been living for a time on Charlotte river, with a body of several 
hundred royalists and Indians, was making his way down through 
the Schoharie settlements, intending to meet the trio already 
named, and revel with them in " the beauty and booty" of Al- 
bany. 

This was a most trying period for New York. To meet and 
repel the several attacks, appeared to some of the most patriotic 
a matter of impossibility — but with a firm reliance on the God of 
battles for success, they buckled on their armor, and resolved to 
try. Most of the published accounts erroneously make the irrup- 
tion of McDonald and his legions at a later date. 

Some of the Schoharie militia were called into service on seve- 
ral occasions in the latter part of the year 1776, and early part of 
1777. Mattice Ball said he was under Capt. Hager in the enter- 
prise w^hich Judge Swart alludes to, as having taken place in the 
spring of 1777. The party -were volunteers, and proceeded to 
Loonenburg, now Athens, to arrest Col. James Huetson, who was 
marshaling Tories. They were in seach of him thirteen days, a 
part of which time they levied a tax upon his poultry yard, and 
ate up his chickens. After securing him and some twenty other 
genial spirits, they delivered them to the military department at 
Albany for safe keeping. Huetson was afterwards hung. 



220 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

I have remarked briefly, that members of families in Schoharie 
were found entertaining different opinions respecting the belhge- 
rent attitude of England and her colonies, and consequently were 
in hostile array. Capt. Jacob Ball, mentioned as the brother of 
Johannes Ball, raised a company of 63 royalists at the Beaver- 
dam and in Duanesburgh and went to Canada, accompanied by 
several relatives. George Mann, another captain of militia to 
w^hom we have alluded, on being ordered out with his company 
to oppose the enemy, openly declared himself friendly to the royal 
power. Adam Crysler and his brothers, with several other indi- 
viduals, who were men of no little influence residing in the south 
part of the Schoharie settlement, also sided with royalty. The 
example of several respectable officers and other individuals of 
reputation, as may be inferred, augured no good for the welfare 
of that community, as the prudent knew full well that " a house 
divided against itself," like Franklin's empty bag, " could not 
stand alune." 

As appears by an aflndavit of William Johnston, jr., made July 
16, 1777, which I find on the journal of the New York council 
of safety, Joseph Brant had then, with some eighty warriors, 
commenced his marauding enterprises on the settlements at Una- 
dilla; by appropriating their cattle, sheep and swine to his own 
benefit. To obtain satisfaction for those cattle, and if possible 
get the Indians to remain neutral in the approaching contest, in 
the latter part of June, 1777, Gen. Herkimer, with three hun- 
dred and eighty of the Tryon county militia, proceeded to Una- 
dilla, (an Indian settlement on the Susquehanna,) to hold an in- 
terview with Brant. That celebrated chief, then at Oquago, was 
sent for by Gen. Herkimer, and arrived on the 27th, after the 
Americans had been there about eight days in waiting. 

Colonel John Harper, who attended Gen. Herkimer at this 
time, made an affidavit on the 16lh of July following the inter- 
view, showing the principal grievances of which the Indians 
complained, as al^o the fact that they vere in covenant with the 
king, whose belts tvere yet lodged among them, and whose service 
they intended to enter. The instrument farther testified, that 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 221 

Brant, instead of returning to Oswego, as he had informed Gen. 
Herkimer was his intention ; had remained in the neighborhood, 
on the withdrawal of the American mihtia, and was preparing 
to destroy the frontier settlements. 

The following particulars relating to the interview between 
Gen. Herkimer and Brant, were obtained from the venerable 
patriot, Joseph Wagner, of Fort Plain. He states that at the first 
meeting of Gen. Herkimer with Brant, the latter was attended 
by three other chiefs, William Johnson, a son of Sir WilUam 
Johnson by Molly Brant, which son was killed at the battle of 
Oriskany the same year. Pool, a smart looking fellow with curly 
hair, supposed part Indian and part negro, and a short dark skin- 
ned Indian, the four encircled by a body-guard of some twenty 
noble looking warriors. 

When in his presence. Brant rather haughtily asked Gen. Her- 
kimer the object of his visit, which was readily made known; 
but seeing so many attendants, the chief suspected the interview 
was sought for another purpose. Said Brant to Herkimer, / 
have jive himdred warriors at my command, and can in an iu' 
slant destrorj you and your party ; hut we are old neighbors and 
friends, and I will not do it. Col. Cox, a smart officer who ac- 
companied Gen. Herkimer, exchanged several sarcastic express- 
ions with Brant, which served not a little to irritate him and his 
followers. The two had had a quarrel a few years previous, 
about lands around the upper Indian castle. Provoked to anger, 
Brant asked Cox if he was not the son-in-law of old George Klock? 
Yes I replied Cox in a tone of malignity, and what is that to you, 
you d — d Indian ? At the close of this dialogue Brant's guard 
ran off to their camp, firing several guns, and making the hills 
echo back their savage yells. Gen. Herkimer then assured Brant 
that he intended his visit for one of a pacific nature, and urged 
him to prevent their moving to hostilities. A word from that 
chief hushed the tempest of human passion, which but an in- 
stant before had threatened to deluge the valley with blood ; the 
parties, however, were too heated to proceed with the business 
which convened them. Said Brant, addressing Gen. Herkimer, 



222 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

it is needless to multiply words at this time, I will meet you here 
at precisely 9 o'clock to morrow morning. The parties then se- 
parated to occupy their former position in camp. 

From what had transpired, I presume Gen. Herkimer did not 
feel wholly secure in his person; for early on the following morn- 
ing he called on Mr. Wagner, then an active young soldier of 
his party, and taking him aside, asked him if he could keep a 
secret. When assured in the affirmative, he informed Wagner 
that he wished him to select three other persons, who, with him- 
self should be in readiness at a given signal, to shoot Brant and 
the other three chiefs, if the interview about to take place did not 
end amicably. In case of the least hostile movement on their 
part, the chiefs were to be sacrified. Wagner selected Abra- 
ham and George Herkimer, nephews of Gen. Herkimer, and a 
third person name now forgotten. Col. Stone, speaking of this 
transaction in the Life of Brant, not aware of its having been 
dictated by the circumstances as any arrangement of caution^ 
which should reflect credibly on the prudence of Gen. Herkimer, 
thus comments on it — " There is something; so revoltino; — so rank 
and foul — in this project of meditated treachery, that it is difficult 
to reconcile it with the known character of Gen. Herkimer." In 
another place he adds, " A betrayal of his [Herkimer's] confi- 
dence, under those circumstances, would have brought a stain 
upon the character of the provincials, which all the waters of the 
Mohawk could not have washed away." Difficult indeed would 
it be if necessary, to reconcile this affair with the honorable life 
of the brave Herkimer, but such is not the case, and I have 
presented this whole matter solely to correct an impression con- 
veyed in the life of Brant, which reflects ignobly on the charac- 
ter of that officer. The whole proceeding was only one of pre^ 
caution, and had it been otherwise would have been executed, 
as ample opportunity was afforded Wagner and his accomplices, 
to assassinate the chiefs. Col. Stone quotes the manuscript of 
my informant as authority for what he states, but there is some 
mistake in the matter, as Wagner assured the writer he never 
had furnished a manuscript account of the affair to any one. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 223 

With the arrangement of circumspection on the part of Gen. 
Herkimer, as stated above, the parties held their interview on 
the 2Sth of June ; the last convention of the kind held in New 
York. Brant was the first to speak : said he — " Gen Herkimer, 
1 now fully comprehend the object of your visit, hut you are too 
late, 1 am already engaged to serve the king. We are old fiends 
and I can do no less than let you return home unmolested, al- 
though you are entirely within my power.^' After a little more 
conversation, in which the parties agreed to separate amicably, 
the conference ended, at Avhich time Gen. Herkimer presented 
to Brant seven or eight fat cattle that had but just arrived, ow- 
ing to obstructions on the outlet of Otsego Lake, down which 
stream they were driven or transported. For three days previous 
to the arrival of the cattle, the Americans were on very short 
allowance. 

Whether Brant had five hundred men at his command may be 
doubted ; Col. Harper has given their number as about one hun- 
dred and thirty-seven — possibly there were foes in concealment 
unknown to that officer. The Americans retraced their steps to 
the Mohawk valley, and scarcely had they set out, when the In- 
dians began to repeat their depredations on the patriotic citizens 
in the neighborhood. Brant soon after fell back to Oquago, to 
strengthen his numbers, and prepare to act in concert with St. 
Leger. 

After the war Brant visited the Mohawk valley, at which time 
Mr. Wagner conversed with him about the treaty at Unadilla. 
On being assured by my informant that he was in readiness at 
the second interview to shot him down, that chief expressed 
much .surprise that Gen. Herkimer had taken such precaution. 

Among the papers of Chairman Ball I find the following : 

" Schoharie, July 7th, 1777, in Committee Chamber first Re- 
solved, that all the persons between tha ages of sixteen and fifty 
years, from the dwelling house of Christian Shaffer and to north- 
ward in Schoharie, are to bring their arms and accoutrements 
when they come to the meeting at either of the two churches in 



224 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Fountain Town and Foxes Town,* on Sunday or any other day 
when kept ; and if any of them shall neglect in bringing their 
arms and accoutrements to either of the churches, shall for- 
feit and pay the sum of three shillings, New York currency, into 
the hands of Mr. Johannes Ball, for the use of paying the cost for 
the district of Schoharie ; or if any person shall not pay the said 
sum as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for Mr. Johannes Ball to give 
a warrant directed to a sergeant or corporal, and levy the same on 
the offender's goods and chattels, and also the costs thereof. 

" And the persons inhabiting from the dwelling of Baltus Krys- 
ler to the said Christian Shaffer, are to bring their arms, &c. to 
the church in Weiser's Town, as they are ordered to [in] Foxes 
Town ; and if neglected to pay the same to Mr. Johannes Becker, 
and be put in execution by him as ordered by Mr. Ball aforesaid. 

" And persons southward from Baltus Krysler's are to be armed 
when [they] come to any meeting that may be kept in Brakabeen, 
and if neglected, to pay the fines to Mr. William Zimmer, and^to 
be put by him in execution as beforementioned, and for the use as 
aforesaid. 

" N. B. Their resolve in Fountain Town Church is to be paid 
to Mr. Johannes Lawyer, and to be put bj^ him in execution as 
within mentioned, and for the use as aforesaid ; and George War- 
ner is appointed to see [that] the inhabitants of Cobelskill bring 
their arms when [they] come to meeting there, and put this re- 
solve in execution as within mentioned, and for the use aforesaid. 

" Secondly, Resolved, that four watches are to be kept in Scho- 
harie every night from this time constant : the first is to be kept 
at the dwelling house of Capt. George Mann, and under his com- 
mand, and in his absence the next in command ; the inhabitants 
from Christian Shaffer's dwelling house and to northward, are to 
be under Capt. Mann's command for the watch to consist of eight 
men. The second is to be kept at the dwelling house of Mr. Hen- 
drick P. Becker, and under the command of Capt. George Richt- 
myer, and in his absence the next officer in command : the inha- 
bitants from Hendrick Tansen's house and so northward to Chris- 
tian Shaffer's, are under the command of this second watch, and 
to consist of six men. The third is to be kept at the dwelling 
house of Mr. Johannes Feak, and under the command of Lieut. 
Martynus Van Slyck, and in his absence the next officer in com- 
mand ; the inhabitants from Baltus Krysler's dwelling house and 
so northward to Hendrick Tanse's are under the command of this 
third watch, and to consist of six men. And the fourth is to be 
kept by the inhabitants from Baltus Krysler's and so southward, 
at the dwelling house of Mr. Hendrick Hager under the command 
of Capt. Jacob Hager, in his absence the next officer in command; 

" The former a Lutheran church then standing a little distance east of the 
Court House, and the latter the stone edifice erected by the Dutch church, 
and still slandinsr one mile north of the Court House. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 225 

and this watch is to consist of six men. Every person or persons 
neglecting to serve on such or either of such watches aforemen- 
tioned, shall for every neglect pay and forfeit the sum of twelve 
shillings for the use of the district of Schoharie." 

At an early stage of difficulties, the little settlement at Harpers- 
field, which was greatly exposed to savage inroads, organized a 
committee of vigilance, of which Isaac Patchin was chairman. 
This settlement was within the limits of Tryon rounty. In view 
of the enemy's proximity, Mr. Patchin wrote to the State Coun- 
cil of Safety, on the 4th of July, 1777, as follows : 

" Gentlemen — The late irruptions and hostilities committed at 
Tunadilla, by Joseph Brandt, with a party of Indians and tories, 
have so alarmed the well-afFected inhabitants of this and the 
neighboring settlements, who are now the entire frontier of this 
state, that except your honors doth afford us immediate protection, 
we shall be obliged to leave our settlements to save our lives and 
families; especially as there is not a man on the outside of us, but 
such as have taken protection of Brant, and many of them have 
threatened our destruction in a short time, the particular circum- 
stances of which Col. Harper, (who will wait on your honors,) can 
give you a full account of, by whom we hope for your protection, 
in what manner to conduct ourselves." 

On the 8th July, William Harper wrote the Albany council 
from Cherry Valley, also within Tryon county, stating the ex- 
posed condition of that place, and the rumor of the enemy's 
nearness under Brant. The committee to which was referred the 
correspondence of Isaac Patchin and Wm. Harper, introduced 
several resolutions to the council of safely on the 17th July ; in 
which they recommended raising two companies of rangers, to 
serve on the frontiers of Tryon, Ulster, and Albany counties, un- 
der the command of John Harper and James Clyde, as captains, 
and Alexander Harper and John Campbell as lieutenants. Lt. 
Harper, as soon as twenty-five men were enlisted by Col. John 
Harper as recruiting officer, was to take charge of them and 
repair to a post of danger. 

In the correspondence of the Provincial Congress ofJVew York, 
I find the following : 

Schoharie CominiUee Chamher, July 17, 1777. 
" Gentlemen — The late advantage gained over us by the ene- 



226 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

my, has such effect upon numbers here, that many we thought 
steady friends to the state seem to draw back ; our state therefore, 
is deplorable ; all our frontiers [frontier settlers] except those that 
are to take protection from the enemy, are gone, so that we are 
entirely open to the Indians and tories, which we expect every 
hour to come to this settlement : part of our militia is at Fort Ed- 
ward; the few that are here many of them, are unwilling to take up 
arms to defend themselves, as they are not able to stand against so 
great a number of declared enemies, who speak openly without 
any reserve. Therefore, if your honors do not grant us immediate 
relief, of about five hundred men to help defend us, we must either 
fall a prey to the enemy, or take protection also. For further par- 
ticulars we refer you to the bearer. Col. Wills, in whom we confide 
to give you a true account of our state and situation, and of the 
back settlements, as he is Avell acquainted with them. We beg 
that your honors will be pleased to send us an answer by the 
bearer. We remain. 

Four honors' most obed't humble servants. 

Signed by order of the committee. 
JOHANNES BALL, Chair7na7i.. 

The above letter was read in Council, at their afternoon session, 
on Saturday, July 19th, and after some discussion it was referred 
to Messrs. Jay, Piatt, and R. R. Livingston. On the 22d, the 
Council wrote " To the Chairman of the Committee of Schoha- 
rie,'^ as follows: 

" Kingston, July 22, 1777. 

"Gentlemen : It greatly astonishes this Council that the settle- 
ment of Schoharie, which has always been considered as firmly 
and spiritedly attached to the American cause, should be panic- 
struck upon the least appearance of danger. Can you conceive 
that our liberties can possibly de redeemed from that vassalage 
which our implacable foes are, with unrelenting cruelty, framing 
for us, without some danger and some vigorous efforts on our 
part ? To expect that Providence, however righteous our cause, 
will, without a vigorous use of those means which it has put in our 
power, interpose in our behalf, is truly to expect that God will work 
miracles for us, when those means, well improved, will afford suf- 
ficient security to our inestimable rights. It is your bounden du- 
ty, if you wish for the smiles of Heaven in favor of the public 
cause in which you are so deeply interested, to acquit yourselves 
like men. A few worthless Indians, and a set of villains, who 
have basely deserted their country, are all the enemies you have to 
fear. 

"We have good reason to believe that the greatest and most de- 
serving part of the Six Nations are well disposed toward us. This 
Council is exerting itself to secure you against danger, and only 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 227 

wish you would second their efforts. Tryon county is a frontier 
to your settlement ; in that county Fort Schuyler is a respectable 
fortress, properly garrisoned. Major General Schuyler has sent 
up apart of a regiment as a further reinforcement. We have au- 
thorized Colonel Harper to raise and embody two hundred men for 
covering and protecting the inhabitants, and have formed such a 
disposition of the militia of the county of Tryon for alternate re- 
lieves as we hope will tend effectually to secure you. 

" If any proclamations or protections should be offered you by 
the enemy, by all means reject them. From the vvoful experience 
of those who have fallen within their influence in other parts of 
the country, we have the highest reasons to believe that your ac- 
ceptance of those tenders of friendship, should they be made, will 
render your misery and slavery unavoidable. 

" In further attention to the cause of your settlement and Tryon 
county, we have this morning sent Mr. Robert Livingston to Gen. 
Washington. He is authorized to concert Avith his Excellency the 
most effectual measures for putting the western frontiers of this 
state in all possible security. 

" In the mean time we expect much from your public virtue ; 
that it will induce you to apprehend and send to us the disaffected 
among you ; that it will lead you to the most effectual means of 
securing your property from the depredations of a weak but insidi- 
ous foe ; and that it will teach you the impropriety of deserting 
your habitations, and keep you in continual readiness to repel the 
assaults of the enemies of the liberty of your country. We write 
to the general committee of the county of Albany, to give you all 
t-he countenance, assistance, and support in their power." 

The following is part of a letter from the same body, under 
the same date, to the Albany Committee. 

" Gentlemen — The great depression of spirits of the inhabitants 
of Tryon county, and the settlers of Schoharie, give this Council 
much uneasiness, as it exposes them to the depredations of an ene- 
my whom they might otherwise despise. 

" We hope that your committee will not be wanting to support 
the drooping spirits of the western inhabitants in general, and par- 
ticularly of those within your county. Wc have great reason to 
fear the breaking up of the settlement of Schoharie, unless our 
exertions be seconded by your efforts. You well know that such 
an event on the frontiers will not only be attended with infinite 
mischief to the inhabitants, but will furnish cause for discourage- 
ment to the country in general. Every means should therefore bo 
tried to prevent it. 

" This Council are earnestly solicitous to put the western fron- 
tiers of this state in a situation as respectable as possible ; and 
though they conceive the enemy's strength to consist principally in 
those exaggerations which result from the threats of our internal 



228 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

foes, and the fears of our friends ; yet as those may he productive 
of real mischief, they would endeavor by every means in their 
power to prevent the evil. Your known exertions in the public 
cause will not permit them to doubt of your straining every nerve 
to second their endeavors," &c., &c. 

The reader will observe that in the letter to the Schoharie com- 
mittee, the state council, in speaking of the foe to which the Scho- 
harie settlement was exposed, consisted only of a few worthless 
Indians and Tories ; and that they believed the Six Nations, as 
a whole, were well affected towards the republicans. This, how- 
ever, as the result showed, was not the fact — as the principal 
warriors of four of the Six Nations had already taken up the Bri- 
tish hatchet, and were led on by a formidable number o^ royalists. 
They also spoke of Tryon county as i\ie. frontier of Schoharie — the 
whole being well protected by the garrison of Fort Schuyler, ge- 
nerally known as Fort Stanwix. This part of the letter discovers 
the ignorance of the council of the true geography of the frontier 
settlements ; as that fort was situated at least 100 miles northwest 
of Schoharie, while the enemies of the latter were expected from 
a southwest direction, from whence they usually approached. In 
that direction were the settlements of Unadilla, Harpersfield and 
Wyoming, either of which could be avoided ; but the two former 
were early broken up and their well disposed inhabitants driven in 
upon less exposed communities — while the fate of the latter is too 
well known to be commented on here. The truth is, that, as an 
old soldier [James Williamson) of Fort Schuyler once observed 
to the writer, that fortress did not answer the purposes for which 
it was intended in the revolution, as the enemy could, and did 
pass round it in every direction to the frontier settlements — the 
unbroken forest concealing their approach, until, as if by magic, 
they appeared at the very dwellings of the pioneers. 

On the 22d of July, the chairman of the Albany committee 
wrote to Gen. Schuyler as follows — 

" Hon. Sir — Colo. Vrooman and two other gentlemen from 
Schoharie, are now with us, and represent the distress their part 
of the county is driven to. 

" Threats, they hourly receive ; their persons and property are 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 229 

exposed to imminent danger : nearly one-half of the people here- 
tofore well disposed, have laid down their arms, and propose to side 
with the enemy. All which change has taken its origin from the 
desertion of Ticonderoga, the unprecedented loss of which, we are 
afraid, will be followed by a revolt of more than one-half of the 
northern part of this county. We therefore beg leave to suggest 
whether it would not be advisable to detain one or two companies 
of continental troops, which are expected here, to be sent that way 
for a few days, which we suppose might bring the greater part 
again to a sense of their duty." 

On the 24th of July, the chairman of the Albany committee 
wrote to the council of safety as follows — 

Gentlemen — Yours of the 22d instant is now before us, recorti- 
mending us to use our utmost influence to revive the drooping spi- 
rits of the inhabitants of this and Trj^on county. A duty so es- 
sential as this, has long since been our principal object, by follow- 
ing the example you have recommended to us ; but upon the whole, 
gentlemen, they are only words upon which we have long played, 
and we earnestly hope they may be realized in such a manner as 
that the usual confidence the people of this and Tryon county have 
in our board, may not depreciate in the eyes of the public, on 
which head we beg leave to remark, that your sanguine expecta- 
tions of Col. Harper's rangers will by no means answer the pur- 
pose. The gentleman undoubtedly has abilities, and will exert 
himself; but when this matter is held up in a more clear view, it 
will appear that every ma,n, almost, in this and Trj'on county, 
adapted for the ranging service, is engaged in the continental, 
occasioned by the amazing bounty that has been given ; and on 
the other hand, the necessary men employed in various branches 
attending an army, together with the constant drain of militia, 
though but few in number, occasioned by the above circumstance, 
are still necessitated to discharge their duty to their country, all 
which point out to you the impracticability of the plan. After con- 
sidering these particulars, (which we believe have not been suffi- 
ciently suggested by the honorable the council,) we conceive it 
will be impossible to collect any more men on the proposed plan, 
by reason that their pay and encouragement is not adequate to the 
times. If the foregoing difficulties have any weight, you may 
judge that no essential service can be expected from the rangers, 
nor can have any weight with the people to the westward. 

" We enclose you a copy of a letter by us sent to Gen. Schuy- 
ler, from which you will perceive the distressed situation the people 
of Schoharie are in." 

On the 25th of July, Mr. Livingston returned from his confer- 
ence with the Commander-in-chief, and reported that his excel- 

16 



230 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

lency had already ordered Gen. Glover's division of the army to 
march to the relief of Tryon county ; and a letter was immediate- 
ly dispatched to the committee of that county, informing them 
that Glover's brigade had marched to Albany, there to receive 
directions from Gen. Schuyler, then in command of the northern 
army. The latter officer, in a letter to the Albany committee, 
dated Moses Creek, four miles below Fort Edward, July 24th, 
after speaking of the gloomy aspect of military affairs in that 
quarter, the desertion of New England troops, &c., thus adds : 

" Happy I should still be, in some degree, if I could close the 
melancholy tale here ; but every letter I receive from the county 
of Tryon, advises me that the inhabitants of it will lay down their 
arms, unless I support them with continental troops. From what I 
have said you Avill see the impossibility of my complying with 
their request. The district of Schoharie has also pointedly inti- 
mated, that unless continental troops are sent there, they will also 
submit to the enemy. Should it be asked what line of conduct I 
mean to hold amidst this variety of difficulties and distress, I would 
answer, to dispute every inch of ground with Gen. Burgoyne, and 
retard his descent into the country as long as possible, without the 
least hopes of being able to prevent his ultimately reaching Albanj^, 
unless 1 am reinforced from Gen. Washington, or by a respectable 
body of the militia. The former I am advised I am not to have, 
and whence to procure the latter I know not. I must therefore 
look up to you ; but though I am under the fullest conviction that 
you will readily afford me every aid in your power, yet I fear it 
cannot be much. 

" In this situation you will be pleased to permit me to observe, 
that I think the council of safety ought to press Gen. Washington 
for an immediate reinforcement of at least fifteen hundred good 
continental troops. Those of our own state, if possible, if not from 
any of the southern colonies ; one thousand to reinforce me, the 
remainder to be sent to Tryon county." 

In the same letter Gen. Schuyler expressed his fears that 
should Burgoyne be able to penetrate to Albany, the force ap- 
proaching the Mohawk under Col. St. Ledger would be able to 
meet him there ; in which case if Gen. Howe pressed up the 
river. Gen. Washington would either be put between two fires, 
or compelled to file off into New England. He however trusted 
such a result might not be realized, and hoped the freedom of his 
sentiments would not he thought to rise from a principle which 
would disgrace a soldier. He added, " I assure you they do not ; 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 23 I 

and I hope my countrymen will never have occasion to blush for 
me, whatever may be the event of this campaign." 

The Council of Safety, in reply to the Albany Committee's let- 
ter of the 24th, responded on the 27th of July as follows: — 
" Gentlemen — Your letter of the 24th inst. has just been received 
and laid before the council. It was not by words alone that the 
council expects the drooping spirits of the inhabitants of Tryon 
county should be revived, nor do they know any other way of 
realizing those expectations than by vigorous exertions. 

" It is highly unreasonable to expect that the militia of other 
states or additional detachments from the continental army should be 
sent to Tryon or Schoharie, when their own exertions, with the aid 
already afforded, would secure them. Harper's rangers are not the 
only measures taken for their support ; a third part of the militia 
is ordered to be embodied, and the council will provide for their 
pay. But if when their all is at stake, they should think the 
wages too little, and from such degenerate, mercenary principles 
refuse to march, they will merit the distinction to which their 
want of courage and public spirit will expose them. 

" It is by example, not speeches, that the council wish they 
may be encouraged. They expect the county of Albany will ex- 
ert itself; that their leading men on other occasons, will not be 
backward now ; that they will march with the militia, and ani- 
mate the body of the people by their perseverance, spirit and pa- 
triotism. If the salvation of such a cause be not sufficient to in- 
duce us to such actions, future generations may with propriety 
say that we did not deserve to be free. If malcontents among you 
are fomenting divisions or encouraging a revolt, they ought to be 
immediately apprehended, and it is presumed you have sufficient 
strength at least for the purpose of internal goverment. If a few 
dispirited people are permitted to lay down their arms, and with 
impunity, not only to disobey orders, but to say they will side 
with the enemy, government has become base and feeble indeed. 
Your powers are equal to all these exigences, and the council 
hope you will exert them. That large drafts of men have been 
made from the militia is a fact not to be denied ; but it is equally 
true that their number is still very respectable, and if they please, 
very formidable. In short, there is reason to fear that the panic 
and irresolution which seems to prevail in the western district, 
will, by being introduced into the history of the present glorious 
contest, injure the reputation which this state has justly acquired 
by its strenuous and noble exertions in the common cause of 
America. 

" P. S. We have the best assurances that Gen. Glover, with 
his brigade, is sent up to reinforce the northern department ; and 
we flatter ourselves that Major General Schuyler will, as he finds 
himself reinforced, cause troops to file off for the defence of the 



282 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

western frontiers. To facilitate this, we have written pressingly 
to the Governor of Connecticut for aid." 

The following extract of a letter from Col. Gansevoort to Col. 
Van Schaick, dated Fort Schuyler, July 28th, will show one of 
the earliest of those tragedies which crimsoned the frontier forest 
of New York. 

" Dear Sir — Yesterday, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, our garri- 
son was alarmed with the firing of four guns. A party of men 
was instantly dispatched to the place where the guns were fired, 
which was in the edge of the woods, about five hundred yards from 
the fort ; but they were too late. The villians were fled, after 
having shot three girls who were out picking raspberries, two of 
whom were l5''ing scalped and tomahawked ; one dead and the 
other expiring, who died in about half an hour after she was 
brought home. The third had two balls through her shoulder, but 
made out to make her escape. Her Avounds are not thought dan- 
gerous : by the best discoveries we have made, there were 
four Indians who perpetrated these murders. 

" I had four men with arms just passed that place, but these 
mercenaries of Britain come not to fight, but to lie in wait to mur- 
der; and it is equally the same to them, if they can get a scalp, 
whether it is from a soldier or an innocent babe." 

Instead of Gen. Schuyler's affording the western settlements 
any relief after having been reinforced by Glover's brigade, we 
find him, under date of August 1st, writing from Saratoga to the 
ISew York council as follows : 

" I have desired Col. Van Schaick to apply for all the militia of 
Schoharie, Duanesburgh, Schenectada and Tryon county, that can 
be collected ; but I forsee that nothing will be effected, unless a 
committee of your body is deputed to repair to Albany." [Those 
militia were intended to reinforce the northern army.] 

Let us take a hasty glance at the progress of the enemy's cam- 
paign in the summer of 1777 ; when he hoped by one energetic 
blow, to separate the New England from the Middle states. Col. 
St. Leger, checked in his progress down the Mohawk, by a 
bloody battle with the Tryon county militia, at Oriskany, on the 
morning of August 6th, under the brave old Herkimer, in which 
some of his men performed prodigies of valor ; and a timely sor- 
tie from Fort Schuyler by troops under Col. Willet — finding his 
Indians deserting him — Col. Gansevoort unwilling to surrender — 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 233 

and a body of troops under Gen. Arnold advancing to raise the 
siege of that fortress — was obliged to make good his retreat to 
Canada. Gen. Burgoyne, after contesting the ground for some 
time, and meeting with repeated defeats — seeing his Indian allies 
deserting him from a dislike to Morgan's rifle-men, and his own 
retreat cut off, surrendered his army to Gen. Gates, who had suc- 
ceeded Schuyler, as prisoners of war. Gen. Vaughan, with a 
body of troops from the army of Sir Henry Clinton, after ascend- 
ing the Hudson as far as Kingston, and reducing that flourishing 
village to ashes, learning that Gov. Clinton was marching to op- 
pose him, fell back down the river. 

It remains for us to follow the footsteps of McDonald. At this 
unsettled period, when no forts had been erected in the Schoharie 
settlements to which the timid migltt fiee for safety, confusion, for 
want of union, was manifest among the courageous.* 

Under date of August 9th, the Albany committee wrote to the 
council of safety as follows : 

" We inclose you a copy of a letter just now received from the 
committee of Schenectada. You will perceive by its contents, 
that a reinforcement is called for in that quarter. It gives us pain 
to inform you that it is out of the power of this county to send them 
any. The depredations committed by the tories is of the worst 
consequences, as it effectually prevents the militia from joining the 
army pursuant to Gen. Ten Broeck's request ; each part calls for 
more help to assist themselves. A Captain Mann, of the militia 
of Schoharie has collected a number of Indians and tories ; de- 
clares himself a friend to King George, and threatens destruction 
to all who do not lay down their arms or take protection from our 
enemies. In order to support our friends in that quarter, a force 
should be sent to them. This is needless to attempt, as a reason 
is assigned why no force can be had. 

" In yours of the 27th uit., you desire that every nerve may be 
exerted ; this has been done, though without the desired effect. 
Our army to the northward, we have already informed you, does 
not appear adequate to repel the force supposed to be coming 
against them," &;c., &c. 

The above letter, and one from Gen. Schuyler, dated at Still- 

• In the Annals of Tryon County, the invasion of McDonald is erroneously 
set down as having occurred in 1778. Campbell also states that three forts 
had been erected in Schoharie the fall before. The forts were erected at the 
time he states ; but not, however, until after McDonald's visit. 



234 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

water, August 6th, were received by the state council on the 1 1th : 
from the latter, I take the following extract : 

" General Ten Broeck has ordered out the whole of the militia ; 
hut I fear very few will march, and that most of them will behave 
as the Schoharie and Schenectada militia have done. How that is, 
you will see by the inclosed, which are copies of letters I have 
this morning received." [What the conduct alluded to was, does 
not appear on the journal of the council, but we may suppose they 
refused to march until some provision was made for the protection 
of their own families against the common foe.] 

On the afternoon of Monday, the 11th. Benjamin Bartholomew, 
from Schoharie, was admitted to the council chamber, and in- 
formed the council in substance : 

" That a certain man at Schoharie was collecting a party in fa- 
vor of the enemy : had dispirited the inhabitants ; that the few re- 
solutely well affected were escaping from thence privately." [That 
body then drafted the following letter to Gov. Clinton :] "Sir — The 
council have received advice, that one Captain Mann is collecting 
a force in Schoharie, and has prevailed upon the inhabitants, 
through fear, to take part with him, and even to take up arms 
against us. As this must expose the frontiers of Ulster and Alba- 
ny counties, and the flame may possibly extend further, if not in- 
stantly checked — 

" They would suggest to your Excellency the propriety of send- 
ing a party under the command of an active and intelligent officer, 
by the way of Woodstock or Catskill, who may fall upon the par- 
ty, arouse the spirits of our friends, and give the Indians such an 
impression of our activity, as will render them cautious of opposing 
us. Perhaps about two hundred men might be spared for this pur- 
pose from the garrison in the Highlands, and, if necessary, they 
might again be reinstated by other militia. The council submit 
this plan to your Excellency, and if it should be approved, doubt 
not but that it will be carried instantly into execution, since secre- 
cy and expedition will ensure its success." 

On the 11th, the Albany committee, in a letter to the council, 
speaking of their apprehensions for the northern army and the ul- 
timate fate of Albany, and the meritorious conduct of Gen. Her- 
kimer, after he was severely wounded, in refusing for hours to 
leave the Oriskany battle field, thus observe : 

" The people of Schoharie have informed us that they will be 
obliged to lay down their arms. The militia that could be collect- 
ed in this county have been sent to the army : they have been long 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 235 

in service, and seeing no prospect of relief, intend soon to return 
and remove their families to a place of greater safety." 

Gov. Clinton addressed the president of the council from New 
Windsor, on the 1 1th of August, as follows : 

" Sir — I wrote this morning to Colo. Pawling, advising him of 
the conduct of Capt. Mann, of the Schoharie militia, mentioned 
in the letter of the committee of Albany, a copy of which you sent 
me. I am apprehensive, that unless he and his party are speedily 
routed they will become formidable and dangerous neighbors to 
our western frontiers. I therefore proposed to Colo. Pawling, in 
the letter I addressed to him this morning, the propriety of em- 
bodying a party of men out of his regiment, under an active offi- 
cer, for this purpose, and directed him to call on your Honorable 
House for their advice and assistance on this occasion, which, 
should they agree with me in sentiment, they will please to afford 
him. 

" It is clearly my opinion, that it is essential to the public safe- 
ty to have this business executed with dispatch and effectually. 
That fellow, without doubt, acts under the encouragement and by 
the advice of the enemy ; and even though he should not attempt 
to commit hostilities on the inhabitants of the western frontiers, 
the very deterring of the militia from marching to the aid of the 
northern army alone is a capital mischief; besides suffering such 
an atrocious and open offender to pass with impunity, would, in 
point of example, be extremely impolitic. It may be necessary to 
exercise a good deal of prudence with respect to the Indians who 
are with Capt. Mann, the management of which I must submit to 
the council." 

The next day, his excellency again addressed the president of 
the council, as follows : 

" New Windsor, \2th Aug't, 1777. 
" Dear sir — On the receipt of a letter yesterday morning from 
General Scott, enclosing a copy of a letter from the committee of 
Albany, to your honble. board, containing the same intelligence 
respecting Capt. Mann, mentioned in your letter of the llthinst.. 
just now delivered me, I immediately wrote to Colonel Pawling 
on that subject, pointing out the propriety of destroying Mann and 
his party by a sudden exertion, with a detachment of the militia 
under an active officer, and desiring him, if he thought it practica- 
ble, to set about it immediately; and in that case to call upon the 
council for their advice and aid. This morning I addressed a let- 
ter to your honorable board on the same subject, by which you 
will observe my sentiments coincide exactly with the council's on 
this occasion. I dare not however, at present, venture to take any 
of the continental troops from the garrison in the Highlands for 
this business. 



236 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 

" The designs of the enemy under General Howe, are yet un- 
certain ; the gan-ison not over strong ; and should any unlucky ac- 
cident happen in that quarter, in the absence of troops, which 
might be drawn from thence for this expedition, I would be greatly 
and perhaps deservedly censured. If the militia are to be em- 
ployed, they can be much easier and more expeditiously had in 
the neighborhood of Kingston and Marbletown, than by marching 
them up from the fort. 

" Major Pawling was charged with my letter to council, andleft 
my house this morning for Kingston. I mentioned this scheme to 
him, and he expressed a strong desire to command the party, to 
which I consented, provided a party proper for him to command 
should be ordered out on this occasion. I know him to be possessed 
of prudence as well as spirit." 



( 237 ) 



CHAPTER VIII. 



The reader will perceive by the correspondence in the preceding 
chapter, that provision had been made, although tardily, to succor 
Schoharie. Many vsrell disposed citizens in McDonald's descent 
through the southern settlements, seeing no assistance at hand, 
anxious for the safety of their families and property, accepted his 
offered protection of royalty — while not a few joined in the wake 
of the tory chief, to swell his already formidable numbers. In 
his approach to the more thickly settled parts of Schoharie, he 
could have numbered several hundred followers — Indians and 
loyalists — armed with various weapons, which number rumor, with 
her many tongues, greatly multiplied. It is not surprismg that 
the comparatively small body of militia assembled at the house of 
John Becker — a part of which house is now standing — felt them- 
selves too weak to oppose their enemies unaided. They, how- 
ever, began barricading the windows and doors of this stone dwel- 
ling ; and deputed two of their number, Vrooman and Swart, to 
go to Albany for assistance. 

Henry Hager, of North Blenheim, late a judge of Schoharie 
county, very kindly furnished the author with a manuscript of 
some facts relating to Schoharie. He states that McDonald 
reached the river above Brakabeen, on Sunday the 10th of Au- 
gust, and " marched up and down the road, stationing guards, 
&c." As the enemy were over-running the valley, Henry Hager, 
grandfather of my informant, then over 70 years old, was anxious 
to inform the patriot party below of the invader's progress and 
espionage along the valley. There was no whig near with 



238 HISTORY OP SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

whom he could consult — indeed the Hager family was the only 
one, for a distance of several miles, that had not either already 
joined the enemy's standard, or accepted of his proffered protec- 
tion : he therefore started to do the errand himself, a distance of 
nearly nine miles. Leaving home about sun-down, he had pro- 
ceeded but a short distance when he was brought to a stand by 
an emissary of royalty ; who demanded where he was going, his 
business, etc. His good judgment readily prompting a reply, he 
feigned business with a blacksmith living below. The sprig of 
his majesty informed him that the man he wished to see was in a 
house near by. He was permitted to enter and do his errand, 
which was to order some small job. We suppose the interview 
between Mr. Hager and Vulcan to have been on Sunday : the 
latter told him he would do his work, and that he might call for 
it as early as he pleased next morning. Leaving the infected 
house, Hager again encountered the man endowed with brief au- 
thority, who granted him permission to return home. 

It was nearly dark when the aged patriot left the tory senti- 
nel. Proceeding a few hundred yards on his way home, until out 
of sight of the enemy, he went down a bank of the river which 
he forded, and by a circuitous route, reached the Stone House in 
safety and communicated the approach of the invaders. Capt. 
Jacob Hager, his son, was there at the time. He had returned 
with a party of Schoharie militia from the northern army but a 
few days before, where he had distinguished himself in several 
hazardous enterprises, transporting cannon to Fort Edward, etc. 
On Monday morning Col. Vrooman, fearing Swart and his com- 
rade might not reach Albany in season to obtain assistance, sent 
Capt. Hager and Henry Becker on the same errand ; with in- 
structions to keep the woods whenever there was danger of meet- 
ing with detention. 

At this juncture of their proceedings, in the afternoon of the 
day on which Hager and Becker had left, Col. John Harper — whose 
duty the reader will remember, required him to look to the pro- 
tection of Schoharie — arrived, to consult with Col. Vrooman and 
the Whigs there assembled, on the best course to be adopted un- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 239 

der the circumstances. It was readily agreed that the friends of 
equal rights assembled, or likely to be in season, were too few to 
oppose successfully McDonald's progress. No time was to be 
lost, as it was expected the band of outlaws would reach that vi- 
cinity on the following day : in order, therefore, to get aid in 
season to be of service, it was thought advisable for a messenger 
to proceed immediately to Albany on horseback. Col. Harper 
volunteered his services, and although the day was far spent, he 
mounted and set forward. Knowing that it would be extremely 
hazardous to pursue his journey in the night, he rode about five 
miles and put up at a public house then kept by John I. Lawyer, 
mentioned in Chap. III. of this work : in the latter part of the 
war his son, Jacob Lawyer, Jr. was its host. This ancient inn 
stood near the old Lutheran parsonage. The building is still 
standing on the premises of Chester Lasell — Mrs. W. G. Michaels. 

On the night Col. Harper staid at Lawyer's, there was quite a 
gathering of Indians and tories, at the tavern known in those days 
as, The Brick House at the Forks of the Roadf distant from the 
former inn about a mile and a quarter. The object of this meet- 
ing of genial spirits, was, no doubt, to receive and communicate 
intelligence from and to the royalist party above, and also to 
learn tidings from such as kept an eye on the movements at Law- 
yer's tavern. A whig (George Warner, Jr. of Cobelskill) who 
was a watchman secreted with others that night, along the fences 
south of the Brick House, to note the motions of the enemy, as- 
sured the author that he saw individuals all night passing and re- 
passing — whom he supposed communicating with the McDonald 
party. 

Col. Harper, having secured his horse and taken supper, retired 
early to an upper room, and locked the door, but did not think it 
prudent to undress. Some time in the evening, a party from the 
Brick House arrived at Lawyer's. The object of their visit being 
made known to the landlord, which was to get Harper to accom- 

* This house, now owned and occupied by Cornelius Vrooman, stood in the 
forks of the old Albany and Schenectada roads. It was a two story dwelling 
at the period of which I am speaking. 



240 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

pany them to their rendezvous, he expostulated with them for in- 
trading upon the rest of his guest, but to no purpose, for see him 
they would. Knowing that he was near an infected district, Col. 
Harper had taken the precaution to leave a light burning. Hear- 
ing an unusual noise below, he seized his pistols and stepped to 
the door, and while listening to learn the cause of his disturbance, 
he overheard the suppressed but earnest voice of the landlord on 
on the stairs, urging the intruders not to ascend. Said he — "For 
God's sake, gentlemen, desist ! for I tell you he is a soldier, terri- 
bly armed, and some of you must die before he will be taken ! " 
Expostulation was in vain, and the landlord was thrust aside by 
the tory party, which rapped at the door of his guest. With pis- - 
tol in hand he opened it, threatening death to the first man who 
should step over its threshold. The intruders then made known to 
him the object of the visit, and the intrepid Harper, with a pistol 
in each hand, replied, " / will be there in the morning, but attempt 
to take me there to-night at your peril ! " Seeing him thus arm- 
ed, and knowing from the flash of his eye that his threat would 
be executed, the party quailed before him and withdrew. He 
again locked his door, and was not afterwards disturbed. 

Col. Harper started next morning, about 8 o'clock, armed as 
on the night previous, with a sword and brace of pistols. Cross- 
ing Foxes creek bridge, which stood where the present bridge now 
stands, without any opposition, (some writer has erroneously sta- 
ted that a Tory sentinel was on the bridge) he rode up to Mann's 
tavern, as I have been credibly informed by an eye-witness,* fas- 
tened his horse, and went in. He was in the house but a few mi- 
nutes, came out, remounted, and started off on the Schenectada 
road, via. Duanesburgh, for Albany. He rode a small black mare, 
with a white stripe in the forehead, which started from the inn up- 

•David Warner, of Cobelskill. At the time alluded to, he states that he 
was a lad about ten years of age ; that he then boarded with Capt. Mann's 
father, and went to school near Foxes creek ; that several boys, himself with 
the rest, had assembled after breakfast near the tavern to go to school. The 
morning was unusually pleasant. It was not usual, at that period, to see a 
stranger, with holsters, upon his saddle. Mr. W. also saw Col. Harper re- 
turn next day with cavalry. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



241 



on a pace, struck a gallop near the top of the hill, and soon bore 
the rider out of sight. He had disappeared but a few mi- 
nutes, heforejive Indians arrived at Mann's, and entered the cellar 
kitchen, followed by the boys, who were still at play in the street. 
Within half an hour, two of Captain Mann's horses, a black and 
a roan, were brought before the door, and two Indians, Seth's 
Henry,* a tall, dark Schoharie chief, sometimes familiarly called 
Set, or Sethen Henry, and David, a small Indian, before noticed, 
mounted them, and started at a full gallop on the road Col. Har- 
per had taken. The Indians, in pursuit were armed only with 
knives and tomahawks. 




COLONEL HARPER CONFRONTING THE INDIANS. 

For a distance of several miles, at that period, there was scarce- 
ly a house on the old Duanesburgh road. As Col. Harper drew 
near Righter's place, he discovered that he was pursued. Passing 
over a knoll, or turn in the road, which hid him from his follow- 



*The name of this Indian's father was Seth, and his own Henry ; he was 
known in the war by the name in the context. 



242 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ers, he dismounted, drew his sword from its scabbard, and stuck 
the point of it in a dry stump before him, and holding a pistol in 
each hand, ready cocked, he leaned back against his horse, and 
awaited the approach of the Indians, the tallest of whom he had 
already recognized. Riding at a rapid rate, and before they were 
aware of their proximity, they drew very near the object of their 
pursuit. The instant they saw him, they reined up, within reach 
of his pistols. Not choosing to risk a shot, he exclaimed in a 
voice and manner that carried terror to their savage breasts — 
" Stop you villains — -face about and he off this instant, or these 
bullets shall whistle through your hearts." The Indians, seeing him 
thus armed, dared not advance, and wheeling their horses, sullen- 
ly withdrew. It is said, however, that Set dogged him, at a res- 
pectful distance, a good part of the way to Albany. I have 
been enabled to be thus circumstantial, from having conversed 
with several individuals who received from Col. Harper's own 
mouth the account of his pursuit soon after its occurrence, whose 
statements do not vary in anything material. 

Col. Harper's arrival in Albany, on Tuesday, August 12th, is 
thus noticed in the Journal of the Council of Safety the following 
day. Christopher Fiero stated to that body that one Du Boise, 
who left Albany the evening before, reported " That every road 
from Schoharie is obstructed and filled up by the tories there; that 
CoL John Harper had escaped from thence, and that Col. Vroo- 
man, with about twenty-five whigs, had fortified themselves in a 
house there." Under the same date on the Council's Journal, I 
find the copy of a letter written by that body, to Col. Pawling, 
on the subject of Gov. Clinton's letters, previously inserted, which 
reads as follows : 

^ " Sir — We enclose you two letters received from the Governor, 
by which it appears that he is very anxious to have the party 
detached for Schoharie. We have received information that 
Col. Vrooman, with a party of whigs, is besieged there by the to- 
ries. 

" It is necessary that he should be relieved immediately. You 
will therefore be pleased to issue your orders this night for two 
hundred drafts to be made from your regiment ; after which you 
will, agreeably to the Governor's directions, repair to this place, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 243 

and confer with the Council about the most practicable means of 
executing your plan. 

" We are extremely sorry that so much precious time has alrea- 
dy been lost by the miscarriage of your letter." [The above let- 
ter was signed by the President and forwarded by a light- 
iiorseman ; after which the Council] "Resolved, That Gen. Scott, 
K. R. Livingston, and Maj. Tappan, be a committee to assist Col. 
Pawling in executing the secret expedition," 

Col. Harper, unadvised of the proceedings of Gov. Clinton and 
the Council, on his arrival in Albany, applied either to the Albany 
committee, or Col. Van Schaick, then in command of that milita- 
ry station — or, what is quite likely, to both — for assistance ; and 
a small body of cavalry was granted him. The company con- 
sisted in rank and file of twenty-eight stout looking men.* They 
were well-clad, wore caps, and made a fine military appearance. 
By whom they were commanded, the author has been unable sa- 
tisfactorily to learn. The old citizens of Schoharie all assert 
that he was a Frenchman, and spoke imperfect English. The 
party, conducted by Col. Harper, left Albany in the evening, and 
riding a good part of the night, arrived in Schoharie early on 
Wednesday. One of the party had a trumpet, the first, probably, 
ever heard echoing among the mountains of Schoharie — an occa- 
sional blast of which is said to have carried terror to the hearts of 
the evil doers, and produced an effect equal to that of an army 
with banners. 

On arriving at the brick house, a halt was ordered. Mine host 
hearing the warlike sound of the trumpet while it was yet a little 
way off, fancying no doubt that he heard his own death knell in 
every blast, fled to a barrackf of wheat on his premises, where he 
snugly ensconsed himself beneath its sheaves; thinking, that 

• Col. Stone, who, in the Life of Brant, (see chapters 14 and 16, vol. 1,) 
has adopted Campbell's erroneous date of this transaction, placing it in 1778, 
gives the name of Capt. Woodbake as the commanding officer of the party. 
The Schoharie people say that was not the commandant's name. Stone also 
puts down their number at 200 : but six or eight persons still living in differ- 
ent parts of the county who counted them, state their number to have been 
ooiy twenty-eight. 

t The word barrack is both German and Dutch. In the Schoharie and 



244 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" The man who lives to run away, 
May live to fight another day." 

The commandant of the little squadron assumed a terrifying 
aspect, as, half drawing his sword, and rising in his stirrups, he 
demanded of Mrs. Mann, who had been summoned to the door 
for the purpose, in imperfect English, the whereabouts of her 
husband. The good woman, who should not at that time have 
been so frightened as to turn deadly pale, assured the speaker 
she could not inform him. In fact she did not herself know. 
The premises of the tory were then strictly searched for his per- 
son even to the barrack in which he was concealed : and several 
troopers ran their swords down into the wheat sheaves beneath 
which he lay, without discovering him. 

A small number of men who were found at the brick house, 
with some exceptions, submitted to the authority of the American 
officers and destroyed their royal 'protections, with the promise of 
pardon for accepting them. A few who had been very active 
amono- the tories were however arrested, among whom was the 
mahcious Indian, David ; who had gained notoriety by his attempt 
on the life of Chairman Ball — his pursuit of Col. Harper, and the 
aid he had rendered the British cause in the capacity of messen- 

ffgi- ^he having just arrived from the camp of McDonald, when 

arrested. The troop then proceeded to the public house of Jacob 

Mohawk valleys, much hay and grain was formerly deposited in barracks— 
indeed, such depositaries are considerably used there at the present day. 
They are commonly made by erecting four upright poles or posts, so as to 
form a square, firmly set in the ground, or held at equal distances by timbera 
framed into them above the ground. The upper part of the posts is perfo- 
rated with holes, and a roof, made of a quadrangular form, terminating in 
a vertex rests upon wood or iron pins thrust through those holes. The roof 
is usually constructed by framing two timbers, crossing at right angles, and 
secured by side pieces, into which are framed four upright poles, .firmly se 
cured at the apex above. The roof is sometimes boarded and shingled, but 
usually thatched. When a barrack is to be filled, the roof is raised to the 
top of the corner posts, and the hay or grain in the sheaf is stacked beneath 
it- and as the contents are removed the roof is let down. Some barracks 
have a floor, and are so constructed as to last many years, subserving most 
of the purposes of a barn. They are generally built with four corners, but 
sometimes with more. Soldiers' huts are, by the French, also called barracki. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 240 

^ Snyder, a whig living a little distance east of Mann's to obtai» 
refreshments ; in the mean time the news of Col. Harper's arrivaj 
from Albany with troops having wonderful music, spread up and 
down the valleys of Foxes creek and Schoharie, with almost 
lightning rapidity. Leaving their work unfinished, the friends of 
liberty began to assemble, and many good citizens who had only 
been waiting to see a prospect of succor in case they espoused 
their country's cause, now did so cheerly. Stone's account of 
there having been a large body of tories, with scarlet patches on 
their hats assembled at Capt. Mann's, to whom that officer was 
making a speech on the arrival of Col. Harper and his party, 
needs authentication. 

On the evening of the day on which Col. Harper left the Stone^ 
House to obtain assistance, McDonald and his followers descend- 
ed the river to the residence of Swart, as stated in his diary, where 
they encamped over night ; taking quiet possession of the pre- 
mises, and helping themselves bountifully to the best the house 
afforded. 

As soon as the steeds of the cavalry were rested, and them- 
selves refreshed, quite a party of militia variously armed having 
already assembled, preparations were made to advance and meet 
the enemy, about six miles distant. The militia, some of whom 
were mounted and others not, were officered by Col. Harper for 
the occasion, and accompanied the cavalry. David, the Indian 
captive, was fastened by a cord around his wrist, to a fellow 
prisoner. The little army a few hours after its arrival in the val- 
ley, moved up the river, at the inspiring sound of the trumpet, 
which laughed among the encrinital and trilobital hills — and 
danced far away in the distance. Those who had been the most 
boisterous for King George, were, as if by magic, all converted 
into Congress-men ; after hearing the voice of the vociferous 
Frenchman, and that of his musician speaking to his distant au- 
ditors with a brazen tongue. No musician ever rendered his 
country more evident essential service, unless perchance he was 
rivaled by Anthony Van Corlear, of Knickerbocker memory. 
At times the militia who were on foot, were obliged to take a 

17 



246 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

dog trot to keep up with the excited commander of cavalry, 
while the sweat of the brow as it coursed adown their sunburnt 
cheeks, denoted their blood to be at fever heat. 

After proceeding about five miles, as the troops were passing 
an alder swamp, in Hartman's dorf, the prisoner David, watch- 
ing a favorable opportunity, slipped the cord from his arm and 
ran into it. The party w^ere halted, ordered to surround the 
marsh, and shoot down the captive if he attempted to escape. 
The mounted militia who knew the ground, led the cavalry round 
the swamp ; and the Indian being observed skulking from tree 
to tree, and just ready to emerge in the direction of the river, 
was instantly brought down by a pistol shot in the back, vpith 
the exclamation, "Gannof ganno !" The commanding officer, 
impatient at the delay, ordered one of the militia men to advance 
and shoot him. He was then lying partly upon his side, his 
head was resting upon his hand, and his elbow upon the ground, 
while his eye calmly surveyed his foes. George Shell, of Foxes 
creek, (who sometime after bravely assisted in the defence of 
Major Becker's house,) advanced from the ranks, presented his 
old fire-lock and attempted to fire. Click, click, click, said the 
old rusty lock — while its antiquated cylinder remained cold and 
silent. " Tarn te Meleshee guns .'" exclaimed the officer ; as, 
riding forward, he snapped one of his own pistols, which missed 
fire, and ordered his troopers to shoot him. A pistol snapped by 
the man next the captain also missed fire, but that in the hand 
of his follow-er exploded, sending a bullet through the Indian's 
head. As those pistols were j^snapped, the Indian turned round 
to avoid seeing them. He was left in his gore, and the party 
resumed their march. This Indian was the first person killed 
in the Schoharie settlements in the Revolution j and I have 
been thus particular in detailing the circumstances attending his 
death, because the manner of it as related in the Life of Brant, 
where he is misnamed Peter JVickus, is so very far from the truth 
as stated by several eye witnesses.* 

•Jacob Becker, Jacob Enders, and George Warner, who were mUitia 
men present. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. , 247 

David Ogeyonda, although a notorious offender, would not 
have been slain had he not attempted to escape while a prisoner. 
The story of his having been " inhumanly hacked to pieces" by 
the cavalry, is not true. It is a well-known characteristic of the 
Indian, that whoever does an injury to one of his blood, incurs 
his hatred and revenge. This same Indian had several sons, 
who, knowing all the circumstances attending their father's death, 
not only remained friendly to the American cause, but Yon, pro- 
bably the oldest, rendered the citizens of Schoharie no little ser- 
vice during the war. 

On arriving at the Stone House, a ladder was raised against 
it, and the prisoners taken at Mann's were compelled to mount 
upon the roof, which was not very steep, when the ladder was 
removed, and they were placed in temporary and somewhat novel 
confinement. A squaw among them, is said to have rendered the 
situation of a prisoner, named Weaver, so uncomfortable, that 
he requested Jacob Enders to remove her. 

The party had been at Middleburgh but a short time, when a 
woman by the name of Staats, known in the valley by the un- 
poetic cognomen of B.ya's Pup, was seen approaching the Stone 
House in the direction of the river, nearly half a mile distant. 
She halted soon after being discovered as if hesitating about ad- 
vancing, when the officer of cavalry beckoned to her to come 
forward ; upon which she faced about and ran the other way. 
Two troopers were sent in pursuit, and captured her while ford- 
ing the river ; and each seizing a hand they turned their horses 
and rode back to the house, to the great amusement of its inmates, 
and discomfiture of the prisoner who was almost — out of breath. 
After panting a while, she was enabled to answer the interroga- 
tories of the American officers. She said she had just come from 
the camp of McDonald — that his numbers were very great — and 
that he was then preparing to march down and capture the Stone 
House and its inmates. — George Warner and Jacob Enders. 

On receiving this information, the troops were sent to collect 
several fences to aid in throwing up a temporary breastwork 
around the house, that they might be the better able to repel an 



248 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

attack. After waiting sometime, however, for the appearance 
of the enemy, it was thought advisable by the Americans who 
were somewhat respectable in numbers, to proceed to meet him. 
On arriving near Swarfs place, two miles distant from the Stone 
House, it was ascertained that the foes were on the retreat up 
the valley ; and it was only by a rapid movement of the mounted 
troops that they were overtaken at the Flockey* At this place 
Adam Crysler resided before the war — it is now the residence of 
Samuel Lawyer. The house which is situated at the upper end 
of Vrooman's land, is pleasantly located upon a bank which slopes 
to the road. A brook or mill stream runs at the base of the 
bank near the road, between which and the river was formerly 
a small swamp. As the Americans drew near, they found Mc- 
Donald had made a stand on the lawn in front of the house, pre- 
pared to give them a warm reception. A few shots only were 
exchanged, when the cavalry, at a long and terrifying blast of 
the trumpet, dashed impetuously among the Indians and tories ; 
who, panic struck, took to their heels and fled up the river. 
They were pursued but a short distance as the ground above was 
unfavorable for cavalry ; besides, it was nearly dark, and the lat- 
ter were much fatigued, having rode about forty-five miles since 
the evening before. David Wirt, lieutenant of the cavalry, was • 
killed in this encounter, and tv/o privates wounded, one Rose, 
mortally — who died three days after. Angelica, a daughter of 
Col. Vrooman, assured the writer in 1837, that she furnished the 
winding sheet for Lieut. Wirt — who was the first man that fell 
in Schoharie defending the principles of a free government. Wirt 
was shot as was afterwards learned, by one Shafer, a royalist. 
What loss the enemy sustained in this brush is unknown, few, 
however, chose to stay long enough to be killed. The cavalry re- 
turned to the Stone House and encamped for the night. As it 
was then supposed that madam Staats had been sent down by 
McDonald to afford him an opportunity to escape, she was sought 
for on the return of the Americans, but had slept out. — Mattice 
Ball, Jacob Van Dyck and others. 

• The name for this spot as known among the old inhabitants, and doubt- 
less signified, ground near a swamp. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 249 

The enemy retreated up the river through Brakabeen, and by 
way of the Susquehanna laid their course for Niagara. Judge 
Hager states, that upwards of twenty male citizens went off from 
Vrooman's land, Brakabeen, and Clyberg (Clay hill,) with the 
enemy ; among whom were Adam Crysler, Joseph Brown, sever- 
al of the Boucks, Beckers, Keysers, Mattices, Freemires, William 
Zimmer, one of the Schoharie committee, one Shafer and one 
Kneiskern. He also adds, that while the enemy remained in 
Schoharie, they doubtless lived well, as they were in a land of 
plenty. 

On the return of the light horse, as nothing appeared to crimi- 
nate the father of Capt. Mann, who was inoifensive and consider- 
ably advanced in life, he was suffered to remain at liberty — and 
as the title to the brick house and valuable farm adjoining is said 
to have been vested in him and not his son, it was never confis- 
cated to the republic. 

Not long after the cavalry and militia had proceeded up the 
valley, Capt. Mann came down from his hiding place, crossed the 
river below the mouth of Fox's creek, and secreted himself un- 
der the Karighondontee mountain, at a place where a small stream 
of water has cut a ravine. The next day, David Warner, the lad 
before mentioned, and John "Snyder, with a basket of food, went 
in pursuit of him. They crossed the river and followed up the 
ravine before named, just above which, seated in a cavity of the 
rock, they found the object of search, smoking a pipe and fast- 
ing ; with an apology for a fire, a few brands smoldering in the 
recess. Mann had very wisely taken with him from home a tin- 
der box and matches, as the chosen place of secretion was in- 
fested by rattle-snakes ; and it being usually damp, was a cold 
place at night even in midsummer. The little nook in which 
Mann was found by his friends, is a familiar one to the Schoharie 
geologists, who have been there to obtain strontian, especially if 
they ever chanced to be there, as the writer once did, in a very 
heavy shower. The ravine alluded to, affords the geologist some 
of the most beautiful deposits of fossil moss found in Schoharie 
county. 



250 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

When Mann heard his friends approaching, his fearful appre- 
hension was aroused, but on hearing their famihar voices calhng 
him by name, he readily discovered himself. From his mountain 
retreat, he shortly after went to Kneiskern's dorf, several miles 
further down the river, where he was concealed by friends until 
fall ; at which time, he surrendered himself to the military au- 
thority established in the valley, by which he was transfered to 
Albany for trial. The following paper will show the time when 
Capt. Mann became a prisoner. 

" Schoharie, Dec. Sth, 1777. 
Gentlemen of the committee : — We have taken it upon us to 
let George Mann come in, by a sufficient bail-bond, Avhich we 
thought he could not get ; but since he did, we would not affront 
the people, and took it ; and if you think that it is not sufficient, 
let me know it, for I am ready now to act against the tories to the 
utmost point Avhich is in my power, if the other committee are 
willing to join : if not, I will no longer be a committee man. 

" Gentlemen, I beg one favor of you, which is, to give me in- 
telligence in what form we are to act with the tories now : so no 
more at present. " I remain, sirs, 

" Your friend and well wisher, 

"JOHANNES BALL." 

Owing to the great influence and respectability of his whig 
relatives and neighbors, Mann's trial was kept off until the war 
closed — when, a very liberal policy having been adopted toward 
those who had committed no very flagrant act, he was set at lib- 
erty, and returned home to the bosom of his family and the quiet 
possession of his property. From the fact that he surrendered 
himself a prisoner, instead of trying to flee to Canada, there can 
remain no doubt but that his views had undergone a change in 
regard to what course he should from the beginning have adopted. 
He had early, beyond a doubt, been warmly solicited by the friends 
of royalty, and the most flattering inducements, to advance their 
cause. But a life of repentance showed his error in judgment to 
have been of the head and not the heart, — while his firm and 
willing support ever after of the newly established order of things, 
fully atoned for his single offence. 

From a long and intimate personal acquaintance with the de- 
scendants and other relatives of Capt. George Mann, I express 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 251 

an opinion without fear of contradiction, that they are as patriotic 
citizens and as firm and consistent supporters of the federal con- 
stitution, as an equal number of men found in any other part of 
the American union. 

The command of Capt. Mann's company, after his disappear- 
ance, was given to his lieutenant. Christian Stubrach. 

Some individuals in the Schoharie settlements who had been 
persuaded to accept of kingly protection under McDonald, when 
the prospects of the colonies looked to them most gloomy, soon 
after his defeat and hasty flight, found means, in the confusion 
that ensued, to return home and become the supporters of the fed- 
eral compact, while others followed his fortunes to Canada to 
await the speedy triumph of the British arms, when they expect- 
ed to return and enjoy not only their own, but the confiscated 
property of their whig neighbors. 

Letters from Colonels Harper and Vrooman, dated August 20th, 
1777, were received by the council of safety, as appears by the 
journal of that body, and transmitted on the 29th to his excellen- 
cy the governor, recommending him to provide five hundred 
troops — one hundred of whom to be riflemen — to protect the 
frontiers of Albany and Tryon counties : and under the date of 
August SOth, I find entered upon the council's journal, the follow- 
ing letter : 

" Schoharie, August 2Sth, 1777. 
" Gentlemen — Since we put Capt. McDonald and his army to 
flight, I proceeded with some volunteers to Harpersfield, where 
we met many that had been forced by McDonald, and some of 
them much abused. Many others were in the woods, who were 
volunteers ; and as we could not get hands on those that were ac- 
tive in the matter, I gave orders to all to make their appearance, 
when called on, at Schoharie, in order to give satisfaction to the 
authority for what they have done ; and if they do not, that they 
are to be proclaimed traitors to the United States of America ; 
which they readily agreed to, and further declare that they will 
use their best endeavors to bring in those that have been the cause 
of the present disturbance. I v/ould, therefore, beg the honorable 
council of safety, that they would appoint proper persons to try 
those people, as there will be many that can witness to the pro- 
ceedings of our enemy, and are not in ability to go abroad. 

" From your most obedient, humble servant, 

" JOHN HARPER, Colo. 
" P. S, The people here are so confused that they do not know 



252 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

how to proceed. I therefore would beg the favor of your honora- 
ble body to appoint such men as are strangers in these parts. 
" To the honorable, the council of safety, at Kingston." 

The above letter was referred to a committee who reported on 
the same, September 1st, and the council ordered the following 
letter written to Col. Harper in reply, under that date — 

" Sir — Your favor of the 28th of August last, was received and 
communicated to the council. They congratulate you on the suc- 
cess of our arms in that quarter, which must be doubly grateful to 
the brave inhabitants of Tryon county, whose virtuous exertions 
have so greatly contributed to it. 

" The trial and punishment of those inhuman wretches who 
have combined with a savage foe to imbrue their hands in the 
blood of the innocent, demands a speedy attention. But while 
the council agree with you in the impropriety of removing them 
to any distance from the witnesses of their guilt, they can not con- 
sent, nor indeed are they empowered to institute any new court for 
the trial of such offences. These wicked parricides, however de- 
testable, are nevertheless, by our free constitution, entitled to the 
inestimable privilege of a trial by their peers. A court of oyer and 
terminer will be held in your county [Albany county meant — 
Col. Harper Avas then a resident of Tryon county :] as soon as the 
present storm hath a little subsided. In the mean time the public 
officers of the county will exert themselves to detect, apprehend 
and secure the rebels. 

" You will be pleased to communicate this letter to the commit- 
tee of Schoharie, and to such other persons as may be concerned 
in it." 

The following letter directed to " The Commissioners for Se- 
questrings for Tryon County ^^ and found among the papers of 
Col. Fisher, one of those commissioners, was from a member of 
the New York council of safety. 

" Kingston, '^\st August, 1777. 
" Gent. — The enclosed resolution Avas thought necessary, that 
fou may have it in your power to remove the women and children 
.0 such place (if even it should be to the enemy,) as you with Gen. 
jrates may think proper. Should you want any thing farther, you 
vill please to let the House know. I wish you health and spirits 
M these trying times — which we will all get over ; and that it may 
be soon, is the prayer of Gent, your most hum'e serv't. 

"ABM. YATES, Jun." 
[The resolution above alluded to] — ^'■Resolved, That the com- 
missioners for sequestrating the effects of persons gone over to, or 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 253 

who are with the enemy, be directed immediately to seize the ef- 
fects of all such of the inhabitants of the counties of Albany and 
Tryon, as are gone over unto and joined the enemy, and to dis- 
pose thereof, agreeably to the resolutions in that case made and 
provided. That the said commissioners be empowered to remove 
the wives and children of such disaffected persons aforesaid from 
their habitations, to such place or places as they shall conceive 
best for the security of the state. That the said commissioners (if 
Gen. Gates shall think it advisable) be empowered to send all or 
any part of the said women and children to their said husbands." 

On the council's journal under date of September 5th, I find the 
following entry — 

The committee to whom was referred the petition of William 
Cameron and the other six prisoners brought by Maj. Wynkoop's 
party from Schoharie, delivered in their report, which was read, 
amended and agreed to, and is in the words following, to wit : 
' That it appears from the said petition of William Cameron and 
the six prisoners brought with him as aforesaid, that they have, 
contrary to the resolutions of this state, aided and assisted the ene- 
mies thereof, by taking up arms against it, and therefore that they 
be confined in irons in one of the jail rooms at Kingston.' " 

The above no doubt refers to the prisoners captured by the ca- 
valry which accompanied Col. Harper to Schoharie. In alluding 
to this transaction, the Rev. Daniel Gros, in a work on Moral 
Philosophy, published about the year 1806, thus observes — 

" Neither must it be forgotten that Lieut. Wallace, Wm. Wills 
and John Harper, who at that time of general distress on our 
western frontiers, when two hundred royalists and Indians had 
advanced into the heart of Schoharie, where treachery, assisted by 
the panic with which the inhabitants had been struck, had al- 
most accomplished a total defection among them, with forty men, 
cellected in a strong brick house, [stone house,] braved the ene- 
my, hindered the defection from taking the intended effect ; and 
afforded time for succor, by which the whole design of the enemy 
was defeated, and a valuable part of the frontier preserved." 

On the 13th of August, the same day on which Col. Harper so 
opportunely led troops to Schoharie, Lt. Col. Schermerhorn pro- 
ceeded to Norman's kill with a body of Schenectada militia, and 
forty Rhode Island troops, — in all about one hundred men, — to 
root up a tory gathering at that place. The expedition was very 
successful ; David Springer, a noted royalist, was killed, thirteen 



254 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

of his comrades captured, the remainder dispersed, and confidence 
again restored, where all was doubt and disaffection, without the 
loss of a single man on the part of the Americans. — John J. 
Schemerhorn, son of Col. S. named in the context. 

In the fall of this year the following resolution was made pub- 
lic : 

"Advertisement. — This is to give notice to all persons, that the 
Committed of Schoharie have Resolved that nobody shall sell any 
thing to disaffected persons, and especially to such persons as buy 
and send it to the Scotch settlements [on the Charlotte and Sus- 
quehanna rivers ;] and if any person does it, Ave shall seize it. 

" By order of the committee, 
" Schoharie, Nov. 24:th, 1777. JOHANNES BALL, Ch'n." 

The citizens of Schoharie were engaged in the fall in trans- 
porting provisions to the army under Gen. Gates, as the follow- 
ing will show. 

" Half Moon, 18th Oct., 1777: Eeceived of Jacob Cuyler, Esq., 
D. C. G. of P., [deputy commissary general of provisions] sixty- 
six barrels and two tierces of flour, containing 131c. 3qr. 81b. — 
tare 1471, in seventeen wagons, which I promise to deliver to 
Dirck Swart, D. C. of P. at Stillwater, having signed two receipts 
of the same tenor and date. JOHANNES BALL." 

About twenty of Mr. Ball's neighbors were engaged with their 
teams in conveying the flour mentioned, as appears by another 
certificate in possession of the writer. 

The following anecdote will serve to show the patriotism of the 
late patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer. When the troops under 
Gen. Gates were opposing Burgoyne near Saratoga, Gen. Ten 
Broeck, who was the guardian of the patroon, then in his minori- 
ty, visited some of his nephew's tenants near the Helleberg, and 
requested them to take all the provisions and grain they could 
spare (reserving a bare competency for their families,) to the Ame- 
rican army. Several emptied their granaries, pork-barrels, cattle- 
stalls and pig-styes, and delivered their effects to the commissary 
department at Saratoga ; not expecting any usual reward for so 
doing. Some time after, to their surprise, the young patroon in_ 
vited those tenants to Albany and presented them with valid titles 
to their lands. Such was one of the many acts of that good 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 255 

man, distinguished through life for his generosity and benevo- 
lence.* 

When news first reached Schoharie that the British had heen 
defeated at Bennington, the tories believed it a falsehood, told to 
excite their fear. 

In the Revolution, that part of Sharon contained in the town 
of Seward, was called New Dorlach. It was a settlement of 
twenty-five or thirty families, only four of which, those of Jacob 
Hynds, William Hynds, Bastian France, and William Spurnheyer 
were active whigs. An old man named Hoifman, who took no 
part on either side, was, with his whig neighbors, made an object 
of savage cupidity. W^hen St. Leger was beseiging Fort Schuy- 
ler, about thirty individuals went from this settlement and united 
with his forces. When the seige was raised, they would gladly 
have returned to their homes, but were compelled to go to Ca- 
nada ; only two came back at that time, and they deserted in the 
night. — Henry France, son of Bastian France. 

In the summer of 1777, when the several British commanders 
were proceeding towards Albany, some of its citizens, fearing the 
enemy would reach that city, secreted their money. A man 
named Ten Eyck buried a tin cup full of gold and silver in his 
cellar. After Burgoyne's surrender, search was made in vain 
for this treasure ; one Jacob Radley dug the ground floor of the 
cellar all over without finding it, and the superstitious notion 
obtained in the familiy, that it had disappeared through super- 
natural agency. Here is a spook story for the credulous. The 
cup had been removed by animam viventum — a living soul. — 
Judge Brown. 

The surrender of Burgoyne to Gen. Gates, which took place 
after the other British enterprises in New York had proved ab- 
ortive, diffused joy and gladness throughout the union. In Al- 
bany, the event was celebrated with much display. An ox was 
roasted whole for the occasion. A pole passing through it and 
resting on crotches served as a spit, while a pair of cart wheels 

* Frederick Vogel, to whom the faxts were communicated after the war, by 
Frederick Crounse, one of the tenants alluded to in the context. 



256 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

at the ends of the pole were used to turn it. A hole was dug 
in the ground, in which, beneath the ox a fire was made. While 
cooking, several pails of salt water were at hand, to be applied 
with swabs to keep the meat from burning. When roasted it 
was drawn through the principal streets, and the patriotic secur- 
ed a good sUce. A constant roar of artillery was kept up during 
the day. 

The aged met with joy of heart, 

The youthful met with glee; 
While little children played their part, 

The happiest of the three. 

In the evening almost every dwelling in the city was illumin- 
ated. A pyramid of pine fagots which had been collected for 
the occasion, in the centre of which stood a liberty pole sup- 
porting on its top a barrel of tar, was set on fire on the hill 
near the city early in the evening. When the fire reached the 
tar, it not only illuminated every part of the city, but sent its 
, ominous light for many miles around, presenting a most impos- 
ing effect* 

To show the enthusiasm that prevailed during the celebration 
above related, I insert the following incident. Evert Yates, of 
Montgomery county, who then lived in Albany, assured the writer 
' that he, with several young friends, was without the city firing 
muskets in honor of the happy event. After firing a good many 
loud guns they returned home — when he found to his great sur- 
prise, his gun was half full ! The party, as often as they had 
loaded, fired together ; and he continued to load, not doubting 

* The author is indebted to Mrs. Henry France of Seward, who was a 
resident of Albany at the time, for the manner in which this event was cele- 
brated ; and also for the following narrative: Her father, John Horne, was 
a butcher in Albany previous to the French war. In the early part of that 
war, he with six other Albanians, went up the Hudson in a batteau with 
merchandize to trade with the Indians for furs. Landing at some place and 
leaving their boat in which were their weapons of defence, they were pro- 
ceeding a little distance from it, when, as they were crossing a small bridge 
a party of seven armed Indians, who had been sometime watching their mo- 
tions, sprang out from under the bridge and made them captives. As they 
all had prisoners, each Indian at night took care of his own, and Horne » 
watching his opportunity after traveling several days with his new master, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 257 

but his old fusee went off — too much excited to discover the in- 
creasing length of his ramrod. 

The following anecdote was told the author by Jacob Van Al- 
styne, who was at the taking of Burgoyne. He was then adju- 
tant of a regiment of Rensselaer county militia, under Col. Ste- 
phen J. Schuyler, Lieut. Col. Henry K. Van Rensselaer, and act- 
ed in the two-fold capacity of adjutant and quarter-master. Col. 
Schuyler was a brother of Gen. Philip Schuyler, and having the 
oldest commission among the colonels on that station, he acted as 
brigadier general in the latter part of the campaign. A German, 
named John Tillman, a portly gentleman who resided at Albany 
after the war, acted as German interpreter for Gen. Gates, and 
was requested by the latter to select a proper person to go into 
the British camp as a spy ; the object of whose mission was, to 
circulate letters among the Hessian soldiers, to induce them to de- 
sert, and to bring on an engagement in such a manner as Gates 
desired. Tillman selected Christopher Fisher,* a private in Col. 
Schuyler's regiment — a shrewd fellow and always ready with an 
answer to any question that might be asked him. Fisher, being 
well acquainted with my informant, visited him to ask his advice 
in the hazardous undertaking, naming the reward offered. The 
]atter told him what the consequence would be if he was detect- 
ed, but declined giving counsel. " Well," said Fisher, " if you 
will not advise me how to proceed, then I must act on my own 

effected his escape ■when the party were all asleep. He went a short dis- 
tance and secreted himself in a hollow log. As soon p.s his absence was dis- 
covered, several of the enemy pursued him; and he in his concealment 
heard them pass and repass, hallooing- to each other. After their return 
he directed his course to the Mohawk, and at the end of eight or nine days 
journey through the forest, in which time he suffered much from hunger 
and exposure, he reached the bank of West Canada creek, and discovered 
an Indian and squaw upon its opposite shore. He called to them to come to 
him, but they did not move until he held up a piece of money. The Indian 
then sent the squaw in a canoe after him. He obtained food from them, who 
proved to beof a friendly tribe, and in a few days more reached home in safety; 
but it was a long time before his comrades in the perilous enterprize all re- 
turned. 

* Fisher was a native of Schoharie county, of German origin, and had re- 
moved to Rensselaer county just before the war. 



258 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

judgment :" so saying, he took his leave of Van Alstyne, who 
thought but httle more of the matter until after the battle, which 
occured October 7th. While in his tent after that engagement, 
Fisher entered and showed him a purse of gold and his discharge 
from the service. Van Alstyne then desired to know how he had 
proceeded. Fisher stated that on the day appointed, he ap- 
proached the enemy's picket with a sheep upon his back, which 
had been killed for the occasion. He was hailed by the guard, 
who demanded of him his residence and the object of his visit. 
Fisher replied, that he lived a few miles back in the country — 
" that the d — d Yankees had destroyed all his property but one 
sheep, which he had killed, and was then taking to his friends." 
On hearing this reply, the sentinel treated him kindly, and deliv- 
ered him over to an officer with a favorable report. In the Bri- 
tish camp, he was asked by a superior officer, what proof he could 
give that he was not deceiving. Said Fisher, " the rehels are 
preparing to give you battle, and if you will go with me, I will 
convince you of its truth." The officer followed Fisher to a cer- 
tain place, from which was visible a wood. Here had been sta- 
tioned, agreeable to the order of Gates, a body of Morgan's rifle 
corps, who were to exhibit themselves in a stealthy manner. The 
rifle-men wore frocks and were easily distinguished. " There — 
there" — says Fisher, "dont you see them devils of Morgan's 
dodging about among the trees ?" And sure enough, as fast as 
the spy directed his vision, the British officer could see the moving 
frocks of the American rifle-men. When urged to enlist into the 
British service, Fisher pretended an aversion to war, pleading also 
the necessity of returning home to protect his family against the 
rehels. He was allowed to leave the camp when he chose, and 
embraced the opportunity while the armies were engaged. He 
was, however, admitted into communion as a genuine royalist, 
and being allowed to mingle for several hours with those who 
spoke German, he discharged the duties of his perilous mission 
to the satisfaction of Gen. Gates. A party of British troops were 
sent to dislodge the rifle-men pointed out by Fisher — a general 
engagement followed, and the result is known to every American 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 259 

reader. Burgoyne capitulated soon after. The spy executed 
faithfully the principal object of his hazardous enterprise, and 
many of those Hessian soldiers deserted the British service in that 
campaign, and either entered the American service, or became 
good citizens of New York. Mr. Van Alstyne died in May, 1844, 
aged nearly 95 years. 

Gen. Fraser, a distinguished officer in the British army, was 
looked upon by some of the Americans as a more dangerous lead- 
er to oppose than Bnrgoyne himself. Several published accounts 
state that such was the opinion of Col. Morgan. During the en- 
gagement of October 7th, it fell to the fortune of Morgan's rifle 
corps to meet in battle the troops under Fraser. Morgan select- 
ed a few of his best marksmen, who were placed in a favorable 
position, and instructed to make Fraser their especial mark. 
Timothy Murphy, who afterwards went to Schoharie, was one of 
the riflemen selected to execute this unholy design. The party 
thus stationed had each a chance to fire, and some of them more 
than once, before a favorable opportunity presented for Murphy ; 
but when it did, the effect was soon manifest. The gallant gene- 
ral was riding upon a gallop when he received the fatal ball, and 
after a few bounds of his charger, fell, mortally wounded. The 
fact that Murphy shot Gen. Fraser, was communicated to the 
writer by a son of the former. 

A letter dated Amherst, Mass., Oct. 7, 1835, and first published 
in the Saratoga Sentinel, introduces a new competitor for the 
honor, if such it was considered, of having slain Gen. Fraser. 
The letter is from the pen of E. Mattoon, Esq., being a reply to 
an interrogatory letter of a preceding date, from Philip Schuyler, 
Esq., a son of the late Gen. Schuyler. Mr. Mattoon expresses 
his belief, in the letter, that Gen. Fraser was killed by an old 
man with a long hunting gun, and not by one of Morgan's men. 
There can be no doubt but that the old gentleman to whom he 
alludes, shot an officer, but that he killed Gen. Fraser I cannot 
believe, since not only Murphy w^s positive he fell before his 
rifle, but several authors have stated. that Fraser told his friends 
after he fell, that he saw the man who shot him, and that he was 



260 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

a rijieman posted in a tree. The remains of Gen. Fraser were 
taken to England after the war. 

After Gen. Burgoyne had resolved on retreating from Saratoga 
to Canada, Gen. Nixon, of the First Massachusetts brigade, suc- 
ceeded in gaining Fort Edward in his rear ; and the first intima- 
tion the retreating hero, who was to march through the colonies 
with three British regiments, had that his retreat was cut off, was 
from hearing the evening gun fired at that fortress. As its thun- 
der came booming along the valley of the Hudson, borne upon 
the evening breeze, it sounded in his unwilling ears the knell of 
his military glory. — Capt. Ehen Williams. 

David Elerson, who was a private in Capt. Long's company 
of Morgan's rifle corps, and compatriot of Timothy Murphy in 
many hazardouus enterprises, related the following anecdote to 
the author in 1837. Morgan's riflemen had acquired much cele- 
brity as marksmen while under Gen. Gates. When in the vici- 
nity of Albany, on their return from the northern army, a gentle- 
man near whose residence they halted, expressed a wish to witness 
their skill. The captain signified his willingness to gratify his . 
curiosity, and a piece of paper was fastened upon a small poplar 
tree. Elerson handed his rifle, one of the best in the company, 
to John Garsaway, who, informant said, took a surer aim than 
himself. The rifle was leveled 100 yards distant from the mark 
and fired. The leaden messenger passed through the paper and 
the tree — splitting the latter several inches, and ruining it. Said 
the gentleman, looking at his crippled tree, which had almost 
been converted into a weeping willow (it will be remembered 
that fashion then made the poplar a very desirable shade tree) 
" I do not wonder the Indians are afraid of Morgan's riflemen, if 
that is the way they shoot." He then treated the company to 
liquor, as was the custom of the times — expressed his satisfaction 
at their skill, as he again cast his eye upon his blasted poplar, 
and the troops resumed their march. 

Maj. Stephen Watts, the brother-in-law of Sir John Johnson, 
was left mortally wounded on the Oriskany battle-ground ; and 
as an American soldier named Martin G. Van Alstyne was passing 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 261 

him, he was addressed by the dying royalist, who begged of him 
to be borne to a stream of water at a little distance off; saying 
that he could not survive his wounds, but that the crystal ele- 
ment would afford him a little comfort in his dying moments. 
He was carried to the place indicated, and presented Van Alstyne 
with his watch as a reward for his services. Watts survived his 
wounds but a few hours. The watch Van Alstyne would never 
part with in his lifetime, although offered several times more than 
its real value by a friend of the Watts family, who were very de- 
sirous of obtaining a keepsake of their deceased kinsman. — Joshua 
Reed. 

Col. Hendrick Frey, (a colonel of colonial troops under Sir 
William Johnson in the French war,) a wealthy royalist who re- 
sided during the revolution in a large stone house* one mile above 
the present village of Canajoharie, was at home, as he feigned 
neutrality, and on the day after the Oriskany battle a party of 
hostile Indians levied a tax on his hospitality. As they assembled 
around a table to eat, a sister of Frey who was waiting upon 
them, discovered on the person of one, the shirt of Maj. John 
Frey, their patriotic brother — one sleeve of which had been per- 
forated by a bullet and left very bloody. Her worst fears were 
aroused, and nearly letting fall something she held, she ran to 
her brother Hendrick, placed her hands on his shoulders and ex- 
claimed in a tone of real sorrow " Brother John is dead !" as- 
signing as her reason for such belief the sight of the bloody trophy 
before them. The colonel who could speak the Indian dialect well, 
desired his sister not to show any emotion before the Indians; 
and endeavored to quiet her fears by remarking that 'probably the 
shirt had belonged to some one else. The agitated maiden could 
not be persuaded into such a consoling belief, as the garment had 
been the workmanship of her own hands ; and her mental agony 
seemed almost insufferable. 

In a short time the Indians left the house, and proceeded down 
the river, followed at a little distance by Col. Frey, who was de- 

•This house took fire in the night, from a deposit of ashes, and burned 
down about the year 1832. 

18 



263 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

sirous of knowing the fate of his brother. Near the mouth of the 
Canajoharie creek he overtook them, and inquired of the possessor 
where he got the shirt which covered his brawny frame. He re- 
plied that he had wounded an officer the day before in the Oris- 
kany contest, in an arm which he had exposed from behind a 
tree, had made him his prisoner, and after taking from him such 
portion of his clothing as he desired, had sold him to a British 
officer who would probably take him to Canada. Frey hastened 
home and communicated to his sister what he had learned, which 
tended somewhat to calm her agitated mind, for to know that he 
still lived, although a wounded prisoner, was some consolation. 
Maj. Frey was taken to Canada, suffering much on the way, and 
while there confined ; a durance which lasted nearly two years. — 
/. Reed. 

The timely sortie of the brave Willet on the camp of the be- 
siegers at Fort Schuyler, caused their comrades engaged in the 
crimsoned fields of Oriskany, to withdraw and leave the militia of 
the Mohawk valley victors of the field. The Indians, who were 
among the last to leave, had mostly disappeared, and the firing 
had nearly ceased, when Capt. John James Davis remarked to 
Isaac Covenhoven, a soldier who stood behind a tree near to the 
one which concealed himself — "I believe the red devils have 
pretty much all left us !" " I don't know," said C. " there may 
be some of them lurking about yet." The words were scarcely 
utterered when Capt. D., who was a brave and meritorious officer, 
fell mortally wounded ; a bullet from the rifle of an Indian having 
passed through his lungs. — Isaac Covenhoven. 

Capt. Jacob Gardinier, of the Tryon county militia, was distin- 
guished for his daring bravery and personal acts in this terrible 
conflict. Some account of this officer's exploits in that battle are 
very properly related in the Life of Brant. The Rev. Daniel 
Gros, in his work on " Moral Philosophy," to which I have allud- 
ed, in some of his remarks on civil liberty, while speaking of the 
moral obligations of free citizens to act in defence of their country, 
referrino- to that battle, thus observes : " Let it stand recorded 
among other patriotic deeds of that little army of militia, that a 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 263 

Jacob Gardinier, with a few of his men, vanquished a whole pla- 
toon, killing the captain thereof, after he had held him for a long 
tiine by his collar as a shield against the balls and bayonets of the 
whole platoon. This brave militia captain is still alive, and was 
cured of thirteen wounds." After being literally riddled by bul- 
lets and bayonets, Capt. Gardinier crept into a cavity at the roots 
of a fallen tree, and continued the fight. .He had with him a 
German lad, as a waiter, who then became very useful, bringing 
to his master, guns of the fallen, loading such as were not loaded, 
&C. He was so wounded that he could neither stand or load his 
own gun, and yet from his place of temporary safety, he did no 
little execution. Observing an Indian stealthily dodging from 
tree to tree to get a shot at an American officer, upon whom he 
had brought his rifle several times with partial aim, Capt. G. shot 
him, and sent his High Dutch hoy, as he called him, to get his 
gun. The lad returned with a report that the Indian was 
not dead, hut was kicking. He had fallen across a log with his 
feet up, and was probably in the death struggle. After a few 
minutes, the boy was again sent, and soon returned with all the 
Indian possessed save his dead carcase. 

Capt. Gardinier, who was a blacksmith before the war, and re- 
sided near the river opposite Caughnawaga, had in his employ a 
man named Henry Thompson, a native of New Jersey. He was 
a tall, lank looking fellow, as odd as he was ungainly. He was 
in the Oriskany battle as a private under his employer, and after 
the conflict had lasted some time, and groans and death were ren- 
dered familiar, he approached the captain and told him he was 
hungry. "Fight away !" said the intrepid officer. "/ cant with- 
out eating," said Thompson. "Then go and get you apiece," was 
the reply. He did so — sat down in the midst of the battle, on 
the body of a dead soldier, and ate heartily, while the bullets 
were cutting the air around his head like hail-stones. Having fi- 
nished his repast, he arose and fought with renewed energy, ap- 
pearing in the thickest of the fight. Such an evidence of cool 
bravery, to gratify hunger, I believe was never excelled, if before 
equalled. 



264 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Samuel Gardinier, a brother of Jacob, was also in the post of 
danger at Oriskany. He had two balls shot into his body just 
above the groin. They were fired from opposite directions almost 
at the same instant ; and so near did they lodge that when an in- 
cision was made to one, the other was visible, and both were ta- 
ken out together. He recovered and lived several years after the 
war was over. The bullets were evidently fired from fowling 
guns, and are treasured as sacred relics by his descendants. — An,' 
ecdotesfrom Rynier, a son of Samuel Gardinier. 

Valentine Fralick, of Stone Arabia, was a militiaman at Oris- 
kany. In the heat of battle, a little aside from the main army, 
William Merckley, a neighbor of Fralick, fell near the latter, 
by the shot of an Indian, mortally wounded. The former kindly 
offered to assist his wounded friend, but the assistance was de- 
clined. " Take care of yourself and leave me to my fate ^^ was 
the wounded man's reply. Fralick, seeing several Indians ap- 
proaching, instantly sought shelter under a fallen tree, and while 
thus concealed, they passed and repassed over the tree, in search 
of, but without finding him. When the immediate danger was 
over, he returned to the body of his comrade, who had been toma- 
hawked and scalped, and giving it a temporary burial, he sought 
the American camp. — Jo/m, a son of Valentine Fralick. 

During one of the earliest invasions of the Saratoga county set- 
tlements by the enemy, (probably in 1777,) the following singular 
incident occurred. A party of Canadian Indians arrived just at 
night at the house of Angus McDermott, a Scotchman, who had 
but recently arrived in the country. The soldiers were helping 
themselves to whatever the house afforded to eat and drink, when 
all at once the floor gave way, and they were precipitated into the 
cellar. No one was seriously injured, and the jollification was 
continued there. The Indians kept the family within doors, so 
that their arrival should be unknown in the neighborhood, and 
scattering about the settlement early in the morning, they com- 
menced their diabolical deeds of destruction and death. — Angus 
McKinlay. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



265 



It has been said of the brave Gen. Herkimer — who was hurried 
into the Oriskany conflict through the rashness of his young offi- 
cers, several of whom called him a tory for his prudence, and soon 
after lost their own lives — that after he was wounded, and no 
longer able to remain upon his horse, his saddle was placed 
against a tree, upon which he sat down, and from whence he 
continued to issue his orders. While thus seated, he took from 
his pocket a tinder-box, and with his pocket-knife and a flint 
arrow-head, which he carried for the purpose, he lit his pipe and 
smoked it with as much apparent satisfaction as he would have 
done in his own house. Gen. Herkimer was taken to his resi- 
dence — a large gambrel-i'oofed brick building, still standing a lit- 
tle distance from the canal, two miles east of Little Falls, where 
he lived several days. 




GEN. HERKIMER'S HOUSE, DANUBE. 

After the battle of Oriskany, a song, commemorative of the 
event was composed, and for a long time sung in the Mohawk 
valley, of which the following is a stanza : 

" Brave Herkimer, our General, 's dead, 
And Col. Cox is slain; 
And many more, and valiant men, 
We ne'er shall see again." 

In June, 1777, Congress resolved to establish a corps of inva- 
lids, consisting of 8 companies, each to have 1 captain, 2 lieuten- 



266 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ants, 2 ensigns, 5 sergeants, 6 corporals, 2 drums, 2 fifes, and 100 
men, to be employed in garrison duty. A company of this kind 
was formed in Schoharie in the fall of 1777, or early in 1778, of 
which Tunis Vrooman, who had served in the French war, was 
appointed captain, Peter Snyder and Martinus Vrooman lieuten- 
ants, and John L. Lawyer its ensign. This company, which was 
mostly in the vicinity of the Upper Fort, was called in Schoharie, 
the " Associate Exempts.'' 

In the fall of 1777, Congress adopted thirteen articles of con- 
federation ; Maryland was the last state to adopt them. In No- 
vember, Forts Mifflin and Mercer, which prevented the passage of 
British shipping to Philadelphia, were taken by the enemy, after 
a severe loss on their part, and a most gallant defence of them by 
Colonels Greene, Smith, and Simms, and Maj. Thayer, and the 
enemy entered that city in triumph, where they wintered. About 
the same time Washington went into winter quarters at Valley 
Forge, Pa., fifteen miles northwest of Philadelphia, where his ar- 
my erected temporary huts, but their sufferings were most acute 
from a want of nearly all the munitions of war. The winter 
was a very severe one, and the American soldier might daily be 
traced by his own blood! Nothing but an unconquerable love of 
Liberty, deep-rooted and steadfast, could have induced men to con- 
tinue in the American service. — Allan, and Tallmadge's Journal. 

The following anecdote will not only show the true piety of 
Gen. Washington, but the power on which he relied for the final 
success of his suffering country. While the American army was 
in camp at Valley Forge Isaac Potts, a respectable Quaker, who 
had often seen Washington going to, or returning from a grove at 
a little distance from his own dwelling early in the morning, 
had the curiosity to learn the object of those visits. En- 
tering the thicket one morning very early, he secreted himself; 
soon after which the American commander advanced to a retired 
spot near him, and upon his knees offered a fervent prayer to the 
God of battles for the triumph of patriotic principles. Soon af- 
ter. Potts returned home : his wife observing his thoughtful coun- 
tenance, thus said to him — " Isaac, something moves thee I per- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 267 

ceive." " Yea, Sarah !" he replied, " I never believed until this 
morning that a soldier could be a Christian" He then related 
what he had witnessed and remarked, " that such prayers as 
George, the Virginian offered, must prevail ; and that England 
never could subdue her colonies."^Ca])^. Eben Williams. 

In the course of this year, ( 1777) Gov. Tryon became almost 
a savage — sending out parties to burn buildings and wantonly de- 
stroy the property of many inoffensive colonists. When remon- 
strated with by Gen. Parsons, he declared that had he more au- 
thority, he would burn every committee-man's house within his 
reach, and expressed a willingness to give twenty silver dollars 
for every acting committee-man who should be delivered to the 
King's troops. — Allan. 

The preceding paragraph will show the reader the reason why 
the county called Tryon, was afterwards given the name of the 
immortal Montgomery, in whose veins coursed the very best of 
Americanised Irish blood. 

The year ]777 was one of alternate hopes and fears to the 
American people. They had witnessed with gratitude the success 
of their arms in northern New York — while several forts along 
the Hudson had been captured by the enemy, and the battles of 
Brandy wine and German town had been followed by disaster. In 
April of this year, it should not be forgotten, a new impulse was 
given the cause, by the opportune arrival, with several of his 
countrymen, of the brave, noble hearted, generous Lafayette : who 
not only bared his own breast to the storm in its fury, but who, 
with a magnanimity that put sinister nature to the blush, threw 
into the exhausted treasury of the nation, Ms ample fortune — bury- 
ing beneath it the scabbard of his sword. Let that patriot who 
glories in being an American, love and venerate the virtues of 
Lafayette as did Washington ; and let him remember, too, that 
this country should ever be a home for the oppressed of every 
land, for good men of other lands aided in establishing its free- 
dom. With many other gallant foreigners, a DeKalb and Pulaski 
mingled their life-blood with that of a Warren, a Woodhull, a 
Montgomery, a Herkimer and Mercer, to water the shriveled roots 



268 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTYj 

of the tree of liberty — while a Lafayette, a Kosciusko and a Steu- 
ben, prompted to deeds of noble daring, aided more fortunately in 
sustaining the American flag. 

It was during the year 1777, that an attempt was made by foul 
intrigue, to supplant Gen. Washington and promote Gen. Gates 
to the chief command. Several officers of rank favored the 
Gates' party, among whom were Generals Mifflin and Conway — 
the latter an Irishman — and several members of Congress. Anony- 
mous letters, reflecting on the character and military skill of 
Washington, were put in circulation. Mr. Laurens, president of 
Congress, and Patrick Henry, one of its master spirits, communi- 
cated to Washington the character of his foes and the nature of 
their design. Happily for the country, the machinations of this 
unholy ambition recoiled upon the heads of its instigators. Con- 
way found it necessary to resign his commission. This subject 
matter afterwards originated a duel between Conway and Gen. 
Cadwallader. After the duel, the former, thinking himself mor- 
tally wounded, expressed to Gen. Washington by letter, his deep 
regret for the part he had acted in the Gates transaction, adding 
his own testimony to the many virtues of the Commander-in- 
chief. — Bancrofts Washington and Wirt's Henry. 

The following romantic incident is copied from the journal of 
Col. Tallmadge. In December, 1777, when the British army was 
at Philadelphia and the Americans under Washington were at 
Valley Forge, Major Tallmadge was stationed between the armies 
with a detachment of cavalry, for the purpose of observation, and 
to circumscribe the range of British foraging parties. The duty 
was an arduous one, the horses being seldom unsaddled, or the 
squad remaining all night in the same position, from fear of a 
visit from the enemy, which on one occasion they received with 
the loss of several men. W^hile on this duty, says the journal ; 

" Being advised that a country girl had gone into Philadelphia 
with eggs, instructed to obtain some information respecting the 
enemy, I moved my detachment to Germantown, where they halt- 
ed, while with a small party I advanced several miles towards the 
British lines, and dismounted at a small tavern called the Rising 
Sun, in full view of their out posts. Very soon I saw a young fe- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 269 

male coming out from the city, who also came to the same inn. 
After we had made ourselves known to each other, and while she 
was communicating some intelligence to me, I was informed that 
the British light horse were advancing. Stepping to the door, I 
saw them at full speed chasing in my patroles, one of whom they 
took. I immediately mounted, when I found the young damsel 
close by my side, entreating that I would protect her. Having not 
a moment to reflect, I desired her to mount behind me, and in this 
way I brought her off more than three miles, up to Germantown, 
where she dismounted. During the whole ride, although there 
was considerable firing of pistols, and not a little wheeling and 
charging, she remained unmoved, and never once complained of 
fear after she mounted my horse. I was delighted with the trans- 
action, and received many compliments from those who became 
acquainted with the adventure." [The journal does not say at 
whose instigation this heroine had visited Philadelphia, but Gen. 
Washington was doubtless her employer.] 

Three forts were erected in the Schoharie valley, the central 
being the first one built. It was known during the Revo- 
lution as the Middle Fort, and stood on the farm now owned 
by Ralph Manning, about half a mile east of north from the 
Middleburgh bridge. It was constructed in the fall of 1777, by 
the citizens and soldiers — the former drawing together suitable 
timber, and the latter, with their aid, giving it a proper place. 
The two story stone dwelling, owned and occupied by John Beck- 
er — the kitchen part of which is still standing — was inclosed 
within the pickets of the fort. 

The Upper Fort, situated five miles west of south from the 
middle fort, was commenced in the fall of 1777 and completed 
the summer following. The one story frame dwelling of John 
Feeck was there inclosed within the pickets. This fort stood not 
far distant from the present site of Murphy's mill, in the upper 
end of Vrooman's land. 

The Lower Fort, situated six miles north of the middle fort, was 
begun and completed about the same time as was the upper fort. 
The stone church, still standing one mile north of the Court House, 
was there inclosed within the pickets. The two latter forts were 
built as was the former, by the joint labor of citizens and soldiers. 
The middle fort was known as head quarters during the war, 
where usually resided the principal commandant of all three, and 



270 



fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 



at which place, the business involving the welfare of the settle- 
ment, was generally transacted. 




ANCIENT DUTCH CHURCH, SCHOHARIE, AS SEEN IN 1817. 

The Lower Fort consisted of an inclosure by strong pickets of 
about half an acre of ground, embracing the stone church, (a 
view of which is here given,) with block-houses in the south-west 
and north-east corners mounting small cannon. Along the west 
side of the inclosure, small huts were erected of rough boards for 
the summer residence of the inhabitants in that part of the valley; 
with a board roof sloping from near the top of the pickets to- 
ward the centre of the yard. Each family which claimed the 
protection of the small garrison at this place, had such a rude 
dwelling, in which were deposited their most valuable effects. 
Near the north-east corner, or in that part of the inclosure toward 
the burying-ground, was a temporary tavern kept by Snyder, a 
former inn-keeper of that vicinity. The Middle Fort was an in- 
closure of an area of ground rather larger than that picketed in 
at the lower fort, with block-houses in the north-east and south 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 271 

west corners, where cannon were mounted. The principal en- 
trance was on the south side, and on each side of the gate were 
arranged the soldiers' barracks. The pickets, as at the fort be- 
low, were about a foot through, and rose some ten feet from the 
ground ; with loop holes, from which to fire on invaders. A 
brass nine pound cannon was mounted on the south-west block- 
house, and an iron one at the diagonal corner, each of which, as 
the block-houses projected, commanded two sides of the inclosure; 
while along the eastern and western sides were arranged huts for 
citizens, similar to those at the lower fort. The Upper Fort stood 
on the west side of the river, and as at those on its opposite side, 
a fair plot of ground was inclosed. One side of this inclosure 
was picketed in, while on its other sides a breast-work was thrown 
up of timbers and earth, some eight or ten feet high, and suffi- 
ciently thick to admit of drawing a wagon upon its top, with 
short pickets set in the outside timbers of the breast-work. A 
ditch surrounded the part thus constructed. Military barracks and 
small log huts were erected within the inclosure, to accommodate 
the soldiers and citizens. Block-houses and sentry-boxes were 
built in the north-west and south-east corners, each mounting a 
small cannon to guard its sides. From its construction, this fort- 
ress, probably, better merited the name of fort than either of the 
others ; although some have stated that a moat partially surround- 
ed the middle fort. 



( 272 ) 



CHAPTER IX. 



Much that transpired in the American revolution of the most 
thrilling interest, not only in Schoharie but in all the frontier set- 
tlements, is now lost forever, to the American reader. To adopt 
the language of a beautiful writer — ^" Many prudent counsels con- 
ceived in perplexing times — many heart-stirring words uttered 
when liberty was treason — many brave and heroic deeds, per- 
formed when the halter and not the laurel was the promised 
meed of patriotic daring, are already lost and forgotten in the 
graves of their authors." 

The capture of Burgoyne and his army not only inspired Ame- 
ricans with confidence of their final triumph, but the truly phi- 
lanthropic all over the civilized world hailed the event as ominous 
of good. Fortune is a fickle goddess. Let success attend the 
ambitious adventurer, and a sycophantic world is ready to rend 
the air with shouts of praise, and strew his path with flowery gar- 
lands ; but if misfortune attend him, his imagined friends are 
changed to foes. It is probable that few leaders under similar 
circumstances could have done more for his royal master than 
had poor Burgoyne ; and yet on his return to England, he was 
treated with contempt by the parasites of royalty. 

Early in 1778, mortified at the result of her Canadian expe- 
ditions, England sought a reconciliation with the states. Lord 
Chatham, known at an earlier period in the House of Commons 
as the talented Pitt, the champion of civil liberty, attended on one 
occasion in the House of Lords during the session of that year- 
He was desirous of a compromise, but opposed to acknowledging 



mSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 273 

our independence. While laboring to show how the difficulties 
could be settled, his emotions overcame him and he sunk nerveless 
into the arms of his friends. He was carried home — survived his 
last effort to speak but a few weeks, and his grave oratory was 
hushed forever. The love of country rose paramount in the last 
effort of this truly great man. Parliament passed an act that ses- 
sion declaring that they would not in future again tax the colo- 
nies, and commissioners were sent to treat with the state authori- 
ties. The terms proposed by the mother country were rejected. 
An attempt was then made to bribe some of the influential Ame- 
rican statesmen, but the proposition met with deserved scorn. 

Early this season the French nation, which had looked with 
jealousy upon England after the loss of the Canadas, concluded a 
treaty of commerce and alliance with the American commissioners. 
It was signed on the 6th of February. The acknowledgment of 
the independence of the United States by France, had a very be- 
neficial tendency. It was greeted every where as the passport 
to independence, consequently every demonstration of joy was 
manifested. The treaties were read by the chaplains at the head 
of each brigade — published in the colonial papers, and made 
known from the sacred desk by ministers of the gospel, from 
Maine to Georgia. Many who were before wavering in their 
course, when they saw a powerful nation becoming their ally, 
manifested a willingness to exert themselves in their country's 
cause. 

The rich flats along the Cobelskill at the out-break of hostili- 
ties, contained some 20 families in the distance of three miles, be- 
lieved to have been all whigs. They organized a company of 
mihtia foi* their own defence, of which Christian Brown (a brother 
of the late Judge Brown) was captain, and Jacob Borst, lieute- 
nant : but had erected no fortifications. The first appearance of 
the enemy in the Schoharie settlements in 1778, was at Co- 
belskill. The events which transpired there, were communicated 
to the author by JVicholas and George Warner brothers, Lawrence 
Lawyer, and Judge Brown. The three former were in the battle 
fought in that town. In the latter part of May several straggling 



274 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Indians were seen in the vicinity of that settlement, and Capt. 
Brown, anticipating a hostile movement of the enemy, thought it 
prudent to send to the fort at Middleburgh for assistance. The 
lower fort was not quite completed at that time. Captain Pa- 
trick was dispatched with a small company of volunteers, and ar- 
rived at the residence of Capt. Brown on the 26th of May, where 
they remained until the 28th, when they moved up to the dwel- 
ling of Lawrence Lawyer. Scouts were kept out constantly, but 
nothing worthy of notice transpired until that day, when Lieut. 
Borst, his brother Joseph, and one of the Freemires were on a 
scout some miles up the creek. The latter was several hundred 
yards from his companions, seated upon a pile of drift-wood, fish- 
ing, when two Schoharie Indians, Ones-Yaap and Han-Yerry (the 
latter a chief) with a savage yell, intended to intimidate, sprang 
up the bank of the creek from a place of concealment and ap- 
proached them. After a friendly salutation, they began to re- 
prove the brothers, for being in the woods, to shoot Indians who 
did them no harm. Joseph replied to the speaker, that they in- 
tended no harm to those who were friendly. Han-Yerry ap- 
proached him, seized his gun in a playful manner, threw open the 
pan, and gave the gun a sudden jerk to spill out the priming, ex- 
claiming as he did so, Yo yenery hatste ! signifying — It is good if 
this he gone ! Borst, seeing the object of the Indian was to disarm 
him, instantly dropped his own gun and seized that of his adver- 
sary, and wrenching the flint from the lock, he replied in the In- 
dian dialect, Yo yenery sagat ! It is good if this is served so ! 
The Indian then dropped his gun and clinched Borst, but the 
latter, giving a loud whoop closed manfully with his antagonist 
and soon brought him upon his knees. While they were strug- 
gling for mastery, the other Indian approached the lieutenant and 
bade him surrender himself his prisoner : but instead of doing so, 
he stepped back and sent a bullet through his body. Han-Yerry 
succeeded in freeing himself from the grasp of his adversary, and 
seeing his comrade upon the ground, instantly fled leaving his 
gun. The lieutenant ran and caught up the gun of his brother 
and snapped it at the fleeing Indian, but as it was not primed the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 275 

latter escaped. On the same day, George Warner and John Fes- 
ter returned from Cherry-Valley, where they had heen the day 
before to cairry a letter — doubtless to apprize that settlement of 
the proximity of the enemy. 

The day after the Borsts had the rencounter with the Indian 
SGOut, the Cobelskill battle was fought ; which occurred on Sa- 
turday the first day of June.* On the morning of that day Cap- 
tain Miller, who was sent from the Schoharie fort with part of a 
company to reconnoitre, arrived at Lawyer's. Several of his 
men, one of vv^hom was named Humphrey, volunteered to remain 
with Patrick, and he returned to the fort, before the enemy in 
force Were discovered. The regulars under Capt. P. numbered 
between 30 and 40 ; and the militia volunteers under Capt. 
Brown were 15. After Capt. Miller left Lawyer's, the troops 
under Patrick marched up the creek to the residence of George 
Warner, who was one of the Schoharie committee, and father of 
the namesake before mentioned. Warner's was the southernmost 
house in the settlement, and stood on a knoll at Cobelskill Centre. 
An orchard at this time covers the site. 

The troops had been at Warner's but a short time, when 15 or 
20 Indians discovered themselves a little distance above the house, 
and the whole force was marched in pursuit of them. Brown 
was opposed to the pursuit, and told Patrick he feared they would 
be ambuscaded. The latter ridiculed the idea, and was disposed 
to assign another motive than that of caution to the militia cap- 

• Several writers who have published some notice of this battle, have given 
it an erroneous date. Brown, in his pamphlet history, says it transpired " on 
the first day of June or July, in the year 1776," but at a personal interview 
he said that date was wrong, and that it took place on Saturday before Pink- 
tier, the year after Burgoyne's capture. Campbell, in the Annals of Tryon 
County, dates it in May, 1779. Stone has entered it in two places in the Life 
of Brant, supposing from Brown's account and one he found among the pa- 
pers of Col. Gansevoort, as they differed in dates and material facts, that he 
was recording two transactions. The last notice he accredits to a letter from 
Col. Varick to Col. Gansevoort, dated Schenectada, June 3, 1778, which let- 
ter stated that this invasion of the enemy took place on the preceding Satur- 
day. This last date corresponds with the one given the author by the three 
living witnesses named, who stated that it took place on Saturday preceding 
Pinkster — Whitsunday, which came that year on the 2d day of Jane. 



276 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

tain who, stung by the imputation, then yielded to the wishes of 
Patrick, notwithstanding the misgiving of his own better judg- 
ment. The enemy, who kept up a running fight, had not been 
pursued a mile, before it was evident their numbers were increas- 
ing. A halt was then made by the Americans near the present 
residence of Lambert Lawyer, with the militia on the right to- 
wards the creek, and a sharp engagement followed. Both parties 
fought in the Indian style, under the cover of trees. It soon be- 
came manifest from the firing, that the number of the enemy was 
very great. After several of his men had fallen around him, 
Capt. Patrick received a shot which broke his thigh. Two of his 
brave soldiers, in an attempt to bear him from the field, were sur- 
rounded by a party of the enemy, and shared his unhappy fate. 
A lieutenant under Capt. Patrick is said to have been spared, by 
giving a masonic sign to Brant. "When Capt. Patrick fell, Brown 
ordered a retreat, which was most timely, for had it been delayed 
but a few minutes until the enemy could have extended his flanks, 
so as to surround the little band of patriots, few if any would 
have survived that day. The families in the settlement, hearing 
the firing, very properly sought safety in the depths of the forest, 
or by a rapid flight to Schoharie, ten miles distant. On arriving 
at the house from which they had been so artfully drawn into an 
ambush designedly laid, three of Patrick's men and two of Brown's 
took refuge within it, which providentially favored the escape of 
their fugitive friends. Being fired on from the house, the Indians 
halted to dislodge its inmates, by which the rest of the party 
gained time suflficient to make good their retreat. The house was 
set on fire, and three of its inmates were buried in its ruins. The 
continental soldiers, in attempting to make their escape from the 
burning building, were slain. One was evidently shot, but the 
other was supposed to have been taken alive and tortured to death. 
The party who first visited the scene of blood after the battle, 
found this soldier not far from where the house had stood, with 
his body cut open and his intestines fastened round a tree several 
feet distant. In one hand was a roll of continental bills, placed 
there by the enemy in derision of our country's almost valueless 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 277 

"'promises to 'pay. ''^ It was subsequently known, that the enemy- 
fired at least ffty balls into one window of this house, at its in- 
mates. 

The names of the men under Capt. Brown in this engagement 
were, Lieut Jacob Borst, Nicholas Warner, George Warner, jr., 
George Freemire, John Shafer and Lawrence Lawyer, who es- 
caped uninjured, 6 j John Zeh, Martinus and John Fester, Jacob 
and John Freemire and Jacob Shafer, killed, 6 ; Peter and Henry 
Shafer and Leonard King, wounded, 3. The whole number killed 
in the engagement, including Capt. Patrick and his men, was 
about 22 : five or six of his men were also wounded and two were 
made prisoners. More than half the Americans engaged were 
either killed or wounded. The enemy, as was afterwards ascer- 
tained, consisting of Indians (mostly Senecas, Schoharies and 
Oquagos, instead of Onondagas as stated by some writers) and to- 
ries, numbered over three hundred and fifty, and were commanded 
by Joseph Brant. Service, a noted tory, who lived near the Char- 
lotte river, and the Schoharie chief, Seth's-Henry, acted a con- 
spicuous part in the engagement. The loss the enemy sustained 
was never exactly known, but was supposed to equal, if it did not 
exceed that of the Americans. A mulatto, who was with the 
enemy at this time and returned after the war, stated that twenty- 
five of their number, mostly Indians, were buried in a mud-hole 
near David Zeh's. He also stated, that seven of the enemy who 
were wounded in the battle, died on their way to Canada. Georce 
Warner's was the first house burnt in the Schoharie settlements 
in the revolution. The enemy, after the engagement, plundered 
and burnt all the dwellings in Cobelskill as far down as the 
churches, except an old log house, formerly occupied by George 
Warner, which stood near the present residence of his son David. 
This house was left, as was afterwards supposed, with a belief 
that its owner might return and occupy it, after losing his framed 
dwelling, which would afford an opportunity to capture a com- 
mittee-man. The dwellings burnt at this time were those of 
George Warner and his son Nicholas, George Fester, Adam Sha- 
fer, William Snyder, John Freemire, Lawrence Lawyer, John 

19 



>/ 



278 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Zeh, John Bouck and John Shell ; (the latter owned by Law- 
rence Lawyer,) in all, ten, with the barns and other out-houses ; 
making, as stated in the record of the Lutheran Church at Scho- 
harie, " twenty buildings burned.'^ 

The two militia-men who took shelter in the house of Warner, 
were Martinus Fester and John Freemire. The remains of Fester 
fell into a tub of soap in the cellar, and were known by his to- 
bacco-box ; and those of Freemire were identified by his knee- 
buckles and gun-barrel. Jacob Shafer was wounded in one leg 
early in the action, and was carried by his neighbor, George War- 
ner, jr., to a place of temporary safety, who agreed to get a horse 
and take him to the fort. As the battle terminated unfavorably, 
he was left to his fate — was discovered next morning by the ene- 
my and killed. The remains of John Fester were not discovered, 
until a piece of wheat was harvested, into which he had fallen- 
Jonas Belknap, one of Patrick's men, received a ball in his right 
hip and was borne out of the battle by Lawrence Lawyer, as the 
latter assured the author. The following additional facts respect- 
ing this soldier, who died a few years since at Gorham, Ontario 
county, were told the author by EzeJdel Howe, a nephew of said 
Belknap. After having been " carried one side," to use the words 
of Lawyer, Belknap discovered a hollow log into which he crept. 
The next day he backed out of his resting place cold and stiff, and 
while seated upon a fence, reflecting on the events of the last 
twenty-four hours, he discovered two Indians laden with plunder 
approaching him, having two dogs. Unobserved by them, he let 
himself fall into a bunch of briers. The Indians halted near him, 
and their dogs placed their paws on the fence and growled. He 
supposed himself discovered, but soon one of them took out a 
bottle, from which both drank, and he had the satisfaction of see- 
ing them resume their march, without noticing the irritation of 
their canine friends. Casting his eyes along the beautiful valley 
and surveying the ruins of the preceding day, he discovered the 
old house of Warner, on the west side of the creek, still standing, 
to which he made his way. He found it unoccupied, but victuals 
were on a table, and after eating, he laid down, faint and sad, up- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 279 

on a bed which the house also afforded. In the afternoon, two 
men came and conveyed him to the Schoharie fort, where his 
wound was properly drest and he recovered. 

Henry Shafer, mentioned as being wounded in this engagement, 
received a ball in his thigh which brought him to the ground. 
The bone was not fractured, but the limb was benumbed. He 
regained his feet but fell the instant his weight came upon the 
wounded limb. Disencumbering himself of his gun and powder- 
horn, after several unsuccessful attempts to run, action returned to 
the limb and he fled. He directed his steps toward Schoharie, 
and on the way fell in with Peter Snyder, his brother-in-law. 
They traveled nearly to Punchkill together, when Shafer, too 
weak to proceed, concealed himself and requested his comrade to 
inform his friends at the fort where he might be found, desiring 
them to come after him. His fellow-traveler went to the fort, 
but instead of doing the errand as desired by his wounded rela- 
tive, he reported him dead. Shafer tarried beneath a shelving 
rock until Monday morning, when, by great exertion, he arrived 
at the house of a friend in Kneiskern's dorf. As he was much 
exhausted, he was very prudently fed gruel until he revived, when 
he was taken to the fort and cured of his wound. — From Petevy 
son of Henry Shafer* 

The night after the Cobelskill battle it rained, and a dreary 
one it must have been to the surviving citizens of the Cobel- 
skill valley, many of whom were in the forest to which they had 
fled from their burning dwellings, exposed to the mercy of wild 
beasts — foes less to be dreaded than those left behind. The wife 
of Lawrence Lawyer, with several other persons, was in the 
woods three days, and finally came out near the mouth of the Co- 

* Mr. Shafer lived to become a verjr useful citizen. He was for many years 
a justice of the peace — frequently represented Cobelskill in the board of sur 
pervisors — for several years was a member of the state legislature — and was 
for a great length of time a judge of Common Pleas ; which several stations, 
considering his early opportunities, he discharged with credit to himself and 
fidelity to the public. He was remarkably punctual in the performance on 
his official duties. He died on the 15th of April, 1839, in the eighty-second 
year of his age. 



280 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

belskill. Scouts were sent out to reconnoitre and look after the 
wounded, and absent members of families, but it was several days 
before tbe dead were buried. Some day in the course of the 
week following the engagement, Col. Viooman with part of the 
Schoharie troops, and Col. Yates with a detachment of Schenec- 
tada militia, wx'nt to perform the last sad duties to those martyrs 
to the cause of liberty. As the weather had been wet and cool, 
the bodies were found to have suffered but little change. A pit 
was dug near where George Warner's house had stood, into 
which several boards were laid : the charred remains of the three 
soldiers taken from the cellar, and the mutilated remains of those 
near, were then buried within it. Pits tvere also dug so as to re- 
quire as little moving of the bodies as possible, in which Captain 
Patrick and the other soldiers were deposited. None can realize 
at a period of nearly seventy years after it transpired, the solem- 
nities of that burial. Several of the deceased left wives and chil- 
dren to mourn their untimely fate ; while all left friends who had 
centered on them hopes of future usefulness and aggrandizement. 
This blow was a most severe one for the little settlement of Co- 
belskill. Peaceful be your rest brave warrior ! for 

" When j'e sank on )'oiir bed of death, 

No gentle form hung over yen ; 

No fond eye caught your parting breath, 

Or shrunk in anguish from the view ! 

But o'er you, in that hour of fate, 

Bent the dark" Indian's " vengeful form ; 

And the stern glance of ruthless hate 

Gleamed dreadful, 'mid the hurrying storm. 

No mourning dirge did o'er you swell, 

Nor winding sheet your limbs inclosed ; 

For you was tolled no passing bell ; 

No tomb was raised where you reposed. 

Your bed of death — the battle ground, 

'Twas there they heaped your funeral mound, 

And all unhallowed was your grave. 

Save by the ashes of the brave,'' — Lines on Waterloo. 

On the knoll where stood the house of George Warner, which 
was burnt in the Revolution, as before stated, the patriotic citizens 
of Cobelskill celebrated the anniversary of our national indepen- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 281 

dence, on the 4th day of July, 1837. An appropriate oration 
was dehvered on the occasion by Demosthenes Lawyer, Esq. 

How proper, after so long a time, to assemble on that day, on 
ground consecrated by patriofs blood, and water it with the tear 
of gratitude. 

A few days previous to the irruption of the enemy into Cobels- 
kill, they were in the vicinity of Cherry Valley. Brant had his 
destructives there with the intention of laying waste that place. 
He secreted them on Lady hill,* about a mile east of the fort, to 
await a favorable opportunity to strike the fatal blow, and slayor 
capture some of its influential citizens. A company of boys 
happened to be training, for boys then caught the martial spirit, 
as Brant, like the eagle from its eyry, was looking down from his 
hiding place upon the devoted hamlet. Mistaking these miniature 
soldiers for armed men, he deferred the attack for a more favora- 
ble opportunity. After killing Lieut. Wormwood, a promising 
young officer from Palatine, who had left the fort but a few min- 
utes before on horseback, and taking Peter Sitz, his comrade, pri- 
soner,! Brant directed his steps to Cobelskill. 

On the 4th day of July, 1778, the beautiful valley of Wyoming 
in Pennsylvania, fell a prey to the savage cupidity of the British, 
Tory and Indian forces under Col. John Butler ; and its inhabit- 
ants were either killed, carried into captivity, or escaped by a 
most appalhng flight. The poem entitled " Gertrude of Wyo- 
ming," from the pen of the English poet Campbell — founded up- 
on the tragedies of that massacre — is doubtless familiar to most of 
my readers. Many of the most unfeeling and inhuman acts of 
cruelty committed on the fleeing inhabitants and soldiers of this 
ill-fated place, were committed by tories. On this occasion, a to- 
ry found a brother secreted, who had been an American militia- 
man, but had fled, abandoning his gun. On recognizing his 
brother, the tory said to him, " So it is you, is it .*"' The unarmed 

* This hill was enxbraced in a patent owned by a rich lady in England, from 
which circumstance it was formerly called Lady Hill. — Moses Nelson. 

t For the death of Lt. Wormwood and capture of Sitz, see jlnnals of Try on 
County. 



282 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

man approached his kinsman, fell upon his knees and besought 
him to spare his life ; promising, if he would, to live with him 
and become his servant. " All this is mighty fine" replied the 
human fiend, " hut you are a d — d rebel /" At the close of this 
sentence, he leveled his gun and sent the death-telling ball through 
his body. — Chapman'' s History of Wyoming. 

About the first of September of this year, the enemy destroyed 
several of the western settlements on the south side of the Mo- 
hawk. In a letter written at one of the frontier posts, by Col. 
Klock to Gov. Clinton, and sent by " Col. Fisher and Zep. 
Batchellor, Esq.," probably in September (it being without date,) 
he thus observes — 

" I beg leave to represent to your Excellency the most deplora'- 
ble situation of this country. The enem}'' have from time to time 
desolated and destroyed the settlements of Springfield, Andreas- 
Town, and the German-Flats; by which at least one hundred and 
fifty families are reduced to misery and distress. People who were 
in flourishing circumstances are thus, by one wanton act, brought 
to poverty. 

" Nothwithstanding I have repeatedly wrote our situation down 
and asked relief, we have obtained none except Alden's regiment, 
which is stationed at Cherry-Valley, where they remain in garri- 
son. Woful experience teaches us that the troops in Cherry-Val- 
ley are by no means a defence for any other part of the country. 
[After speaking of the ungovernable spirit that influenced the con- 
duct of some of the settlers, the desertion of a part of the militia 
to the enemy, and the necessity of immediate succor, he adds] — 
From the information we are able to collect from prisoners and 
otherwise, we learn that the enemy when at the German-Flats 
were 500 or upwards strong, commanded by Capt. Caldwell — that 
they intended soon to make another incursion, and that a reinforce- 
ment of 5 or 600 was on its march to join the enemy." 

During the invasions above noticed, nearly 1000 horses, cattle, 
sheep and swine were killed or driven away. The settlers at the 
German-Flats, by receiving timely notice of danger, with one 
single exception, fled into the neighboring forts and escaped the 
tomahawk. The loss of so many dwellings, with most of their 
furniture, and barns well filled with the recompense of the hus- 
bandman's toils, must have been a most serious one to this district 

Capt. Walter Butler was a son of Cob John Butler, a justice of 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 283 

the king's court for Tryon county, who resided, at the commence- 
ment of the war, about a mile from the ancient village of Caugh- 
nawaga. He went with the royalists who left the county in 1775, 
to Canada. In the summer of 1778, he returned to the Mohawk 
valley — was arrested, and confined in the Albany jail. Under 
the pretence of ill health he was removed to a private dwelling, 
from which, aided by treachery, he escaped. Burning with re- 
venge for his imprisonment, on his arrival in Canada he obtained 
command of a part of his father's regiment of tories called But- 
ler^ s Rangers ; and with them directed his steps towards the fron- 
tier settlements of New York. On his way he met Brant return- 
ing to Canada from his Mohawk river expedition, who reluctantly 
joined him in his enterprise. Their united forces were 500 In- 
dians, and 200 tories, worse than Indians. On the morning of 
Nov. 11th, they surprised Cherry-Valley, killing 32 of the in- 
habitants and 16 continental soldiers, among whom was Col. Al- 
den, the imprudent commander of the garrison, who is said to 
have been a man of intemperate habits. Nearly all the dwellings 
and barns in the settlement — just filled with an abundant harvest, 
were burned, and — 

House-less were those who from the wood returned, 

The fate of relatives to mourn ; 
While other friends to living death, they learned, 

By human fiends, were captive borne. 

The enemy, making between 30 and 40 prisoners at Cherry- 
Valley, passed down the Susquehanna to its junction with the 
Tioga — up the latter to near its source, thence along the Seneca 
lake to the Indian castle at Kanadaseago, near the present village 
of Geneva ; where a division of the prisoners took place. The 
day after the massacre, 200 militia arrived at Cherry-Valley, and 
buried the dead.* The sufferings of the prisoners on their way to 
Canada, must have been very severe : many of them were women 
and children, illy fitted to endure the fatigues of a journey of three 
or four hundred miles, at that inclement season. 

• For a more minute account of the destruction of this place, see Campbell's 
Annals of Tryon County. 



284 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

The following anecdote was related by Joseph Brant after the 
Revolution, to John Fonda while at his house near Caughnawa- 
ga. Brant, on being censured by Fonda for his cruelties at 
Cherry-Valley at the time of its desolation, said the atrocities 
were mostly chargeable to Walter Butler. He then stated that 
among the captives made by him at that place, was a man named 
Vrooman, with whom he had had a previous acquaintance. He 
concluded to give Vrooman his liberty, and after they had pro- 
ceeded several miles on their journey, he sent him back about two 
miles, alone, to procure some birch bark for him ; expecting of 
course to see no more of him. After several hours Vrooman 
came hurrying back with the bark, which the chieftain no more 
wanted than he did a pair of goggles. Brant said, he sent his 
prisoner back on purpose to afford him an opportunity to make 
his escape, but that he was so big a fool he did not know it ; and 
that consequently he was compelled to take him along to Cana- 
da. — Mrs. Evert Yates, a daughter of John Fonda. 

The English government on being officially informed of the 
treaty of alliance between France and the United States, declar- 
ed war against the former ; and thought it prudent to concentrate 
its forces. On the 18th of June, the British troops under Sir 
Henry Clinton evacuated Philadelphia, and set out for New York. 
Gen. Washington hung upon his rear, watching a favorable op- 
portunity to give him battle. On the 2Sth of that month, the 
battle of Monmouth was fought. Both armies were flattered 
during the day by alternate success, and encamped in the evening 
on the battle ground. Washington slept in his cloak after the 
fatigues of that day, in the camp of his brave men. In the night, 
Clinton silently withdrew, thus conceding the victory of the pre- 
ceding day to the spangled banner. The loss of the Americans 
in this engagement was from two to three hundred in killed and 
wounded ;. arid that of the enemy about cne thousand, nearly half 
of whom were killed. The day on which this action was fought 
was extremely hot, and the suffering of both armies was very 
great for the want of proper drink. Says the Journal of Col. 
Tallmadge, " Many died on both sides from excessive heat and 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 285 

fatigue, the day being oppressively warm, and the troops drink- 
ing too freely of cold' water." James Williamson, a soldier who 
assisted in burying the dead after the battle, assured the writer 
that he saw around a spring in a grove not far from the battle- 
field, the dead bodies of twelve soldiers, supposed to have been vic- 
tims of cold water. 

American historians have recorded few instances of female pa- 
triotism and bravery, which rival the following : In the battle 
of Monmouth a gunner was killed, and a call was made for an- 
other, when the wife of the fallen soldier, who had followed his 
fortune to the camp, advanced and took his station ; expressing 
her willingness to discharge the duty of her deceased husband, 
and thus revenge his death. The gun was well managed and 
did good execution, as I have been informed by an eye witness. 
After the engagement. Gen. Washington was so much pleased 
with the gallant conduct of this heroine, that he gave her a 
lieutenant's commission. She was afterwards called Captain 
Molly. — Capf. Eben Williams. 

A short time after the battle of Monmouth, Lieut. Col. Wm. 
Butler, with the 4th Pennsylvania regiment, and three companies 
of rife men from Morgan's corps under Maj. Posey, commanded 
by Captains Long, Pear and Simpson, was ordered to Albany, 
and from thence to Schoharie. While there he commanded the 
Middle Fort. The command of the Schoharie forts devoled on 
Col. Peter Vrooman during the war, when no continental officer 
of equal rank was there. 

Amono; the rifle men who went to Schoharie at this time, were 
some most daring spirits — men whose names should live forever 
on her fairy mountains and in her green valleys. We do not be- 
lieve it necessary, although it is a fact too generally conceded, 
that glittering epaulets are indispensable in forming a hero. Of 
the brave soldiers sent to aid the Schoharie settlers in their de- 
fence, and guard from savage cruelties the unprotected mother 
and helpless orphan, whose names I would gladly chronicle 
could I collect them, were Lieut. Thomas Boyd, (whose tragic 



286 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

end will be shown hereafter,) Timothy Murphy, David Elerson,* 
William Leek,t William Lloyd, a sergeant, John Wilber,| 



Tufts, Joseph Evans, Philip Hoever,§ Elijah Hendricks, John 
Garsaway, a very large man, and Derrick Haggidorn. Nor 
should we forget to name several of the native citizens who 
encountered many dangers in the discharge of their duty ; of the 
latter were Jacob and Cornelius Van Dyck, Jacob Enders, Bar- 
tholomew C. Vrooman, Peter Van Slyck, Nicholas Sloughter, 
Yockam Folluck, Joackam Van Valkenberg,|| Jacob Becker, and 
Thomas Eckerson. There were no doubt others equally merito- 
rious, whose deeds are unknown to the writer. 

The following facts, relating to the attempted arrest and death 
of Christopher Service, a tory of no little notoriety, living on the 
Charlotte river, were communicated by Judge Hager, Mrs. Van 
Slyck, and David Elerson. 

The people of Schoharie had long suspected Service — who re- 
mained with his family entirely exposed to the enemy — of clan- 
destinely affording them assistance. Captain Jacob Hager, who 
was in command of the Upper Fort, in the summer of 1778, sent 
Abraham Becker, Peter Swart, (not the one already introduced,) 
and Frederick Shafer, on a secret scout into the neighborhood of 
Service, to ascertain if there were any Indians in that vicinity, 
and to keep an eye of espionage on the tory. They arrived in 
sight of his dwelling after sundown, and concealed themselves in 
the woods, intending to remain over night. After dark the mus- 
quitoes began to be very troublesome, but the party did not dare 

• He was married in Schoharie during the war, and became a permanent 
resident of tlie county. He was a ranger for several years, and, as he stat- 
ed to the writer, an extra price was set on his own and Murphy's scalps by 
the enemy. He was 95 years old at our interview, at which time he was 
boarding with Dr. Origin Allen, near the Baptist church in Broome, of which 
the old hero was a member. 

t Went west after the war, and died in Cayuga county. 

X Was from Reddington, Pa. He was a carpenter by trade, married a 
Miss Mattice and settled on Charlotte river. 

§ Remained in Schoharie county after the war. 

li Killed in battle near Lake Utsayuntho, in 1781. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 287 

to make a fire to keep them off. Becker told his companions he 
was well acquainted with Service, having lived near him for some 
time ; said he would go and reconnoitre, and if there were none 
of the enemy abroad, he would inform them, in which case all agreed 
to go to the house and tarry over night. Becker, after a short 
absence, returned with the assurance that the " coast was clear," 
and that he had made arrangements for their accommodation; 
whereupon all three went to the dwelling. As they approached 
the door, the light was extinguished, but Becker went in, followed 
by his friends. They advanced to the centre of the room, at which 
time one of the family re-lit the candle, the light of which show- 
ed Swart and Shafer their real situation. Along the wall, upon 
one side of the room, were arranged a party of armed savages, 
who instantly sprang upon, and bound them. The two pri- 
soners were kept there until morning, when they were hurried off 
to Canada. Becker, who had not been bound, was suffered, after 
giving the Indians his gun and ammunition, to depart for home. 
He returned to the fort, and reported that the scout, near Charlotte 
river, had fallen in with a party of Indians in ambush, from whom 
they attempted to escape by flight ; that he was in advance of his 
comrades, who were both captured ; that he came near being over- 
taken, when he threw away his gun and equipage, and thus re- 
lieved, made his escape. Shafer, who remained in a Canadian 
prison until the war was closed, returned to Schoharie and made 
known the above facts. Swart never returned to Schoharie. He 
was taken by distant Indians, as his friends afterwards learned, be- 
yond Detroit, where he took a squaw and adopted the Indian life. 
From the commencement of the border difficulties. Service had 
greatly aided the enemies of his country, by sheltering and victual- 
ing them, in numerous instances. He was comparatively 
wealthy, for the times, owning a well-stocked farm and a grist- 
mill. When the tories and Indians from Canada were on their 
way to destroy the settlements, they always found a home at his 
house, from whence, after recruiting, they sallied forth on their 
missions of death. Several attempts were made to take him be- 
fore the Schoharie committee, previous to his joining Brant in h is 
expedition against Cobelskill. 



288 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Soon after the return of Becker with his hypocritical narrative, 
Col. Butler sent Capt. Long with some twenty volunteers in the 
direction of Charlotte river to reconnoitre, and if possible discov- 
er some traces of the enemy. One object of the expedition was, 
to arrest Service and take him to the Schoharie forts, or to slay 
him in case of resistance. Arriving near the head waters of the 
Schoharie, Capt. Long unexpectedly took a prisoner. On his per- 
son he found a letter directed to Service, and on opening it, learned 
that Smith, its author, a tory captain who had enlisted a company 
of royalists on the Hudson near Catskill, was then on his way to 
the house of Service, who was desired in the letter to have every 
thing in readiness to supply the wants of his men on their arrivaL 
Learning from their prisoner the route by which Smith would ap- 
proach, the Americans at once resolved to intercept him. Some 
fifteen or twenty miles distant from the Upper fort, while proceed- 
ing cautiously along the east side of the river. Smith and his fol- 
lowers were discovered on the opposite bank. Capt. Long halted 
his men, and proposed to get a shot at Smith. It was thought by 
some of the party an act of folly to fire at so great a distance, but 
the captain, accompanied by Elerson, advanced and laid down be- 
hind a fallen log. Some noise was made by this movement, and 
the tory chief stepped into an open piece of ground a little dis- 
tance from his men to learn the cause of alarm, and thus fairly 
exposed his person. At this moment the rifles were leveled. 
Capt. Long was to fire, and in case he missed his victim, Elerson 
was to make a shot. At the crack of the first rifle, the spirit of Smith 
left its clay tenement to join kindred spirits ; but where — God on- 
ly knows. The scout then advanced and poured in a volley of 
balls, wounding several, and dispersing all of the tories. Thus 
unexpectedly did justice overtake this company of men, whose 
zeal should have led them to serve their country instead of her 
foes. 

Capt. Long and his companions then directed their steps to the 
dwelling of Service. On arriving near, proper caution was taken 
to prevent his escape, and Murphy and Elerson^ were deputed to 
arrest him. They found the tory back of his house, making a 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 289 

harrow. On the approach of the two friends, Mrs. Service, sus- 
pecting the object of their visit, came out and stood near them, 
when they informed her husband the nature of their visit. Ser- 
vice called them d — d rebels, and retreating a few steps, he seized 
an axe and aimed a blow at the head of Murphy. But the man 
who could guard against surprise from the wily Indian, was not 
to fall thus ignobly. Elerson, who stood a few feet from his com- 
panion, as he assured the author, told Murphy to shoot the d — d 
rascal. The wife of Service, seeing the determined look of Mur- 
phy, caught hold of his arm and besought him not to fire. He 
gently pushed her aside, and patting her on the shoulder said, 
" Mother, he never vyill sleep with you again." In another in- 
stant, the unerring bullet from his rifle had penetrated the tory's 
heart. Capt. Long and his men now advanced to the house, in 
which was found forty loaves of fresh bread, proving that some 
notice had already reached there, of Smith's intended visit. Many 
have supposed that injustice was done to Service. The author 
has taken considerable pains to inform himself on this point, and 
finds proof most satisfactory to his own mind, that from his ability 
and willingness to supply the wants of the enemy and his retired 
residence, he was a very dangerous man to the cause of liberty. 
An old tory, who returned after the war, and died a few years 
ago in the town of Mohawk, was accustomed, when intoxicated, 
to " hurrah for king George." At such times he often told about 
being in person at the house of Service, who, as he said, " lived 
and died a tory, as he meant to." Had not Service made an at- 
tempt on the life of Murphy, he would probably have been con- 
fined until the war closed, and then liberated, as was the case 
with several wealthy royalists. The property of Service was 
confiscated in the war. Not many years ago, a son of his suc- 
ceeded in recovering the confiscated property of his father, and 
thus came into the undivided possession of an estate amounting to 
eight or ten thousand dollars. The fortune thus obtained, how- 
ever, was soon dissipated. 

In the latter part of August, 1778, the Lower Fort, but recent- 
ly completed, was commanded by Lieut. Col. John H. Beeckman. 



290 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 

Early in October, Col. Butler proceeded from Schoharie with 
the troops under his command, to Unadilla and Oquago, Indian 
towns on the Susquehanna, which they effectually destroyed, 
with large quantities of provisions. 

The troops under Col. Butler, in this excursion, among whom 
were several volunteers from the Schoharie militia, suffered in- 
credible hardships. " They were obliged to carry their provi- 
sions on their backs ; and, thus loaded, frequently to ford creeks 
and rivers. After the toils of hard marches, they were obliged 
to camp down during wet and chilly nights without covering, or 
even the means of keeping their arms dry." — Dr. Ramsay. After 
an absence of sixteen days, they were greeted with a hearty wel- 
come at the forts in Schohnrie. 

A regiment of New York state troops, under Col. Duboise, went 
into winter quarters at Schoharie, in the fall of 1778. Adjt. 
Dodge, Maj. Rosencrans, Capt. Stewart, and Ensign Johnson, of 
Duboise's regiment, were quartered in the kitchen of Chairman 
Ball's dwelling.— Pe^er Ball. 

On the 6th of August of this year, M. Gerard was publicly re- 
ceived by the United States government as minister of the king of 
France On the 14th of September following, Dr. Franklin was 
appointed minister to France, the first American minister delegated 
to a foreign court. 

" The alliance of France gave birth to expectations which 
events did not fulfil ; yet the presence of her fleets on the coast 
deranged the plans of the enemy, and induced them to relinquish 
a part of their conquests." — Hale. 

The reward paid by English agents for the scalps of the Ame- 
ricans, eight dollars each, excited the avarice of both Indians and 
tories ; and many innocent women and children were slain not 
only in this, but in the several years of the war, to gratify the 
cupidity of a merciless and unfeeling enemy. 

Late in the fall, the army under Washington erected huts near 
Middlebrook, in New Jersey, and went into winter quarters. In 
December of Ih's year, Mr. Laurens resigned his office as presi- 
dent of Congress, and John Jay was chosen in his place. 



( 291 ) 



CHAPTER X. 



Early in the spring of 1779. two men named Cowley and 
Sawyer, were captured near Harpersfield, by four Schoharie In- 
dians ; Han-Yerry, who escaped from the Borsts the day before 
the Cobelskill engagement, Seth's-Henry, Adam, a sister's son, 
and Nicholas, also a relative. One of the captives, was a na- 
tive of the Emerald Isle ; and the other of the green hills of 
Scotland. They were among the number of refugees from Har- 
persfield, who sought safety in Schoharie at the beginning of 
difficulties. 

The prisoners could not speak Dutch, which those Indians un- 
derstood nearly as well as their own dialect ; and the latter could 
understand but little, if any, of the conversation of those Anglo- 
Americans. When surprised, they intimated by signs as well 
as they could, that they were friends of the king ; and not only 
evinced a willingness to proceed with their captors, but a desire 
to do so. An axe belonging to one of them was taken along as 
a prize. The prisoners set off with such apparent willingness on 
their long journey to Canada, that the Indians did not think it 
necessary to bind them. They were compelled to act, however, 
as " hewers of wood and drawers of water," for their red masters. 

They had been captives eleven days, without a favorable op- 
portunity to mature a plan for their escape, which they had all 
along premeditated. On arriving at a deserted hut near Tioga 
Point, the captives were sent to cut wood a few rods distant. 
On such occasions, one cut and the other carried it where it was 
to be consumed. "While Cowley was chopping, and Sawyer 
waiting for an armful, the latter took from his pocket a news- 
paper, and pretended to read its contents to his fellow ; instead 
of doing which, however, he proposed a plan for regaining their 



292 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

liberty. After carrying wood enough to the hut to keep fire 
over night, and partaking of a scanty supper, they laid down 
in their usual manner to rest, a prisoner between two Indians. 

The friends kept awake, and after they were satisfied their 
foes were all sound asleep, they arose agreeable to concert, and 
secured their weapons, shaking the priming from the guns. 
Sawyer with the tomahawk of Han-Yerry — who was thought 
the most desperate of the four — took his station beside its owner ; 
while Cowley with the axe, placed himself beside another sleep- 
ing Indian. The fire afforded sufficient fight for the captives to 
make sure of their victims. At a given signal the blows fell 
fatal upon two ; the tomahawk sank deep into the brain of its 
owner, giving a sound, to use the words of an informant,* like 
a blow upon a pumpkin. Unfortunately, Sawyer drew the handle 
from his weapon in attempting to free it from the skull of the 
savage, and the remainder of the tragic act devolved upon his 
companion. The first one struck by Cowley was killed, but the 
blows which sent two to their final reckoning, awoke their fel- 
lows, who instantly sprang upon their feet. As Seth's-Henry 
rose from the ground, he received a blow which he partially 
warded off by raising his right arm ; but his shoulder was laid 
open and he fell back stunned. The fourth, as he was about to 
escape, received a heavy blow in his back from the axe. He 
v\?as pursued out of the hut — fled into a swamp near, where he 
died. The liberated prisoners returned into the hut, and were 
resolving on what course to pursue, when Seth's-Henry, who had 
recovered and feigned himself dead for some time, to embrace 
a favorable opportunity, sprang upon his feet — dashed through 
the fire — caught up his rifle, leveled and snapped it at one of his 
foes — ran out of the hut and disappeared. 

The two friends then primed the remaining guns, and kept a 
vigilant watch until daylight, to guard against surprise. They 
set out in the morning to return, but dared not pursue the route 

• Lawrence Mattice. The adventures of Cowley and Sawyer were princi- 
clpally derived from Mr. MaUice and Henry Hager, who learned the particQ- 
Iar3 from the captives themselves. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 293 

they came, very properly supposing there were more of the enemy 
not far distant, to whom the surviving Indian would communi- 
cate the fate of his comrades. They recrossed a river in the 
morning in a bark canoe, which they had used the preceding 
afternoon, and then directed their course for the frontier settle- 
ments. The first night after taking the responsibility, Cowley 
was light headed for hours, and his companion was fearful his 
raving would betray them ; but when daylight returned, reason 
again claimed its tenement. As they had anticipated, a party of 
Indians thirsting for their blood, were in hot pursuit of them. 
From a hill they once descried ten or a dozen in a valley below. 
They remained concealed beneath a shelving rock one night and 
two days, while the enemy were abroad, and when there, a dog 
belonging to the latter, came up to them. As the animal ap- 
proached, they supposed their hours were numbered; but after 
smelling them for some time, it went away without barking. 
On the third night after their escape, they saw fires lit by the 
enemy, literally all around them. They suffered much from ex- 
posure to the weather, and still more from hunger. They ex- 
pected to be pursued in the direction they had been captured, and 
very properly followed a zig-zag course ; arriving in safety after 
much suffering, at a frontier settlement in Pennsylvania, Avhere 
they found friends. When fairly recruited they directed their 
steps to Schoharie, and were there welcomed as though they 
had risen from the dead, among which latter number, many had 
supposed them. 

Sawyer is said to have died many years after, in Williamstown, 
Mass.; and Cowley in Albany. At the time Cowley and Saw- 
yer returned from their captivity, the upper Schoharie fort was 
commanded by Maj. Posey, a large, fine looking officer, who, as 
an old lady of Schoharie county once declared to the author, was 
the handsomest man she ever saw. 

Friendly Indians were sometimes in the habit of taking up a 
winter's residence in the vicinity of American frontier posts. In 
the spring of this year several Indians, who pretended friendship, 
left the Johnstown fort, where they had for some time been a tax 

20 



294 HISTORY OP SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

on the charity of its officers ; but they had gone but a few miles 
north of the garrison when they halted and murdered an old gen- 
tleman named Durham and his wife, whose scalps they could sell 
in an English market. — James Williamson. 

The manuscript furnished the author by Judge Hager, states 
that in the year 1779, probably in the spring, a rumor reached 
the Schoharie forts that Capt. Brant, on the evening of a certain 
day, would arrive at some place on the Delaware river with a 
band of hostile followers. Col. Vrooman thereupon dispatched 
Capt. Jacob Hager with a company of about fifty men to that 
neighborhood. Hager arrived with his troops after a rapid march, 
at the place where it was said Brant was to pass — thirty or forty 
miles distant from Schoharie; and concealed them amidst some fall- 
en timber beside the road. This station was taken in the afternoon 
of the day on which Brant was expected to arrive, and continued 
to be occupied by the Americans until the following day between 
ten and eleven o'clock, when, no new evidence of Brant's visit 
being discovered, Capt. Hager returned home — thinking it possi- 
ble that Braut was pursuing a different route to the Schoharie 
settlements. 

Capt. Hager afterwards learned from a loyalist, in whose neigh- 
borhood he had been concealed, that he had not been gone an 
hour when the enemy about one hundred and ffty strong — In- 
dians and tories, arrived and passed the fallow where he had been 
secreted. On being informed that a company of Americans had 
so recently left the neighborhood, prepartions were made to pur- 
sue them. When about to move forward, Brant enquired of a 
tory named Sherman, what officer commanded the Americans, 
and on being informed that it was Capt. Hager, whose courage 
from a French war acquaintance was undoubted, he consulted his 
chiefs and the pursuit was abandoned. 

Brant, on learning that Schoharie was well defended, seems to 
have given up the idea of surprising that settlement, and directed 
his steps to more vulnerable points of attack. Several settlements 
were entered simultaneously by the enemy along the Mohawk 
river early in the season — directed no doubt by this distinguished 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 295 

chief. Apprised of Sullivan's intended march to the Indian coun- 
try, he hurried back to prepare for his reception. 

A party of Indians under the celebrated chief Cornplanter, ap- 
peared in the vicinity of Fort-Plain at this time, and after burning 
a small church not far from the fort, among other depredations, 
captured John Abeel an old inhabitant. They had traveled but 
a few miles before they discovered that he could talk their own 
language nearly as well as themselves. This discovery soon led 
to another of a more singular character, but truly fortunate for 
the captive, for on enquiring his name, Cornplanter knew at once 
he stood before his own father. Abeel had been a trader among 
the Indians some twenty-five years before in Western New York, 
and in one of his visits became enamored with a pretty squaw. 
The graceful warrior " John,'' called among his race Cornplanter^ 
now before him, was the fruit of this libidinous, wayward affection. 
The chief had learned the history of his parentage from his mother, 
who called him by the christian name of her lover. A pleasing 
recognition followed, the father was instantly set at liberty, and 
conducted in safety to his own home. — P. J. Wagner, Esq. 

Cornplanter visited his relatives at Fort-Plain, who were among 
the most repectable citizens in the Mohawk valley, several times 
after the war ; and was treated with the civilities his dignified and 
manly bearing merited. 

The repeated assaults along the whole frontier of New York 
and Pennsylvania during the preceding year by the enemy, arrest- 
ed the attention of Congress, which resolved to send an army into 
the Indian country in the summer of 1779, and retaliate their at- 
trocities by a destruction of their settlements. Accordingly, an ar- 
my was assembled under Gen. Sullivan, at Tioga Point, at which 
place he was met by Gen. James Clinton, who marched from Ca- 
najoharie, on the Mohawk, with a division of the army. As a 
preliminary movement to the invasion of the Indian country by 
Gen. Sullivan, Col. Van Schaick went from Fort Schuyler, under 
the instructions of Gen. James Clinton, with detachments of his 
own and Col. Gansevoort's regiment, and destroyed the possessions 
of the Onondagas. 



296 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

While Gen. Clinton was waiting at Canajoharie for his troops 
and supplies to assemble, and also for the construction of bateaus, 
two tories were there hung, and a deserter shot. The following 
letter from Gen. Clinton to his wife, dated July 6th, 1779, briefly 
narrates the death of the two former : 

" I have nothing further to acquaint you of, except that we ap- 
prehended a certain Lieut. Henry Hare, and a Sergeant Newbury, 
both of Col. Butler's regiment, who confessed that they left the 
Seneca country with sixty-three Indians, and two white men, who 
divided themselves into three parties — one party was to attack 
Schoharie, another party Cherry-Valley and the Mohawk river, 
and the other party to skulk about Fort Schuyler and the upper part 
of the Mohawk river, to take prisoners or scalps. I had them triep 
by a general court martial for spies, who sentenced them both to 
be hanged, which was done accordingly at Canajoharie, to the sa- 
tisfaction of all the inhabitants of that place who were friends to 
their country, as they were known to be very active in almost all 
the murders that were committed on these frontiers. They were 
inhabitants of Tryon county, had each a wife and several children, 
who came to see them and beg their lives." 

The name of Hare was one of respectabihty in the Mohawk 
valley, before the revolution. Members of the Hare family were 
engaged for years in sundry speculations with Maj. Jelles Fonda, 
who, as already observed, carried on an extensive trade with the 
Indians and fur traders at the western military posts ; his own re- 
sidence being at Caughnawaga* Henry Hare resided before the 
war in the present town of Florida, a few miles from Fort Hunter. 
At the time he left the valley with the royalist party to go to Ca- 
nada, his family remained, as did that of William Newbury, who 

* All the territory on the north side of the Mohawk, from The Nose to 
Tribe's Hill, a distance of nearly ten miles, was called Caughnawaga — an In- 
dian name, which signified Stone in the ivater. Some writers have given as 
its signification, " The coffin-shaped stone in the water." Tradition has 
handed down from a family which early settled on the bank of the river near 
this stone, the interpretation first given. This Indian name, we must suppose, 
originated long before this state was settled by the whites: of course the abo- 
rigines could have known nothing about cofiins — they had no tools by which 
they could possibly make them. When the revolution began, Maj. Fonda was 
erecting buildings for the prosecution of business, six miles westward of his 
Caughnawaga residence, on a farm since known as the Schenck place. At a 
later day he built the dwelling now owned by C. McVean, Esq., so pleasant- 
ly eiiuatcd on the hill in Fonda, where he died June 23d, 1791, aged 64 years. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 297 

lived about 3 miles from Hare, toward the present village of Glen. 
If Hare had rendered himself obnoxious to the whigs of Tryon 
county, Newbury had doubly so, by his inhuman cruelties at the 
massacre of Cherry-Valley, some of which, on his trial, were pro- 
ven against him. Hare and Newbury visited their friends, and 
were secreted for several days at their own dwellings. The form- 
er had left home before daylight to return to Canada, and was to 
call for his comrade on his route. Maj. Newkirk, who resided but 
a short distance from Hare, met a tory neighbor on the afternoon 
of the day on which Hare left home, who either wished to be con- 
sidered one of the knowing ones, or lull the suspicions resting upon 
himself, who communicated to him the fact that Hare had been 
home — and supposing him then out of danger, he added, " per- 
haps he is about home yet." He also informed him that Newbu- 
ry had been seen. Hare brought home for his wife several arti- 
cles of clothing, such as British calicoes, dress-shawls, Indian mo- 
casons, &c., and on the very day he set out to return to Canada, 
she was so imprudent as to put them on and go visiting — the sight 
of which corroborated the story told Newkirk. The Major noti- 
fied Capt. Snooks, who collected a few armed whigs, and in the 
evening secreted himself with them near the residence of Hare, 
if possible, to give some further account of him. Providence 
seems to have favored the design, for the latter, on going to New- 
bury's, had sprained an ankle. Not being willing to undertake so 
long a journey with a lame foot, and little suspecting that a friend 
had revealed his visit, he concluded to return to his dwelling. 
While limping along through his own orchard, Francis Putman, 
one of Snook's party, then but 15 of 16 years old, stepped from 
behind an apple tree, presented his musket to his breast, and or- 
dered him to stand. At a given signal, the rest of the party came 
up, and he was secured. They learned from the prisoner that 
Newbury had not yet set out for Canada, and a party under Lieut. 
Newkirk went the same night and arrested him. They w^ere ena- 
bled to find his house in the woods by following a tame deer which 
fled to it. The prisoners were next day taken to Canajoharie, 
where they were tried by court martial, found guilty, and execut- 



298 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ed as previously shown. The execution took place near the pre- 
sent village of Canajoharie.* The influence exerted by the friends 
of Hare to save him would have been successful, had he declared 
that he visited the valley solely to see his family. He may have 
thought they dared not hang him ; certain it is, that when he was 
interrogated as to the object of his visit, he unhesitatingly said that 
he not only came here to see his family, but also came in the ca- 
pacity of a spy. A deserter, named Titus was shot at Canajoha- 
rie about the time the spies were hung, as I have been informed 
by an eye witness to all three executions. — James Williamson. 

Deserters were shot for the first, second, or third offence, as cir- 
cumstances warranted. Newbury and Titus were buried near 
the place of execution, and the bones of one of them were 
thrown out at the time of constructing the Erie Canal, by 
workmen who were getting earth for its embankment.f The bo- 
dy of Hare was given to his relatives for interment. Previous to 
burial the coffin was placed in a cellar-kitchen, before a window, 
in w^hich position a snake crawled over it. This circumstance 
gave rise to much speculation among the superstitious, who said 
^Ht was the Devil after his spirit."" 

The troops under Gen. Clinton opened a road from Canajoha- 
rie through the town of Springfield, to the head of Otsego lake, 
where they launched their fleet of bateaus and floated down its 
placid waters nine miles to its outlet — now the location of the ro- 
mantic and tastefully built village of Cooperstown. This passage 
down the lake was made on a lovely summer's day, and the sur- 
rounding hills being covered with living green, every dash of the 
oar throwing up the clear, sparkling water, a thousand delighted 
warblers greeting them from the shores as the response of the 
martial music from the boats — the whole being so entirely novel — 
the effect must have been truly enchanting and picturesque. On 
arriving at the foot of the lake, the troops landed and remained 
several weeks, until it was sufficiently raised by a dam constructed 
at the outlet, to float the boats. When a sufficient head of water 

'John S. Quackcnboss and Mrs. E. Gardinicr. 

\ Daniel Spencer, a ■worthy pensioner, now living at Canajoharie. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 299 

was thus obtained — the boats having been properly arranged along 
the outlet and filled with the troops, stores and cannon — the dam 
was torn away, and the numerous Jieet of small fry, (two hun- 
dred and eight boats) floated off in fine style, and passed down the 
tributary into the winding Susquehanna. (This is an aboriginal 
word, said to signify, ihe crooked river.) It is said that prepara- 
tory to opening the outlet of the lake, a dam made by the saga- 
cious beavers on one of the larger inlets, which flooded considera- 
ble ground, was ordered to be destroyed to obtain the water. It 
was partially so served, but the night following it was, by the in- 
dustrious animals, again repaired. A more effiectual destruction 
followed, and a guard of men was stationed all night, to prevent 
its being again built by its lawful owners. 

While the army were quartered at ihe outlet of Otsego lake, 
two men were tried for desertion, and both were sentenced to be 
shot. The youngest of the two, whose name was Snyder, was 
pardoned by Gen. Clinton. The other man was ?i foreigner, who 
had previously deserted from the British, and having now desert- 
ed from the American flag, and persuaded Snyder to desert, Clin- 
ton said of him — " He is good for neither king or country, let 
him be shot." The order was executed on the west side of the 
outlet, not far distant from the lake. Not a house had then been 
erected where Cooperstown now stands. — Williamson. 

The company to which Williamson belonged, was attached in 
Sullivan's campaign to the second New York regiment, command- 
ed by Col. Rigne, a French officer. He was a large, well made, 
jovial fellow, of whom Mr. Williamson related the following an- 
ecdote. Among the men who aided in our glorious struggle for 
independence, was a regiment of blacks, who generally proved to 
be good, faithful soldiers. That they might readily be distin- 
guished, they wore wool hats with the brim and lower half of the 
crown colored black — the remainder being left drab or the native 
color. While waiting for Otsego lake to rise, the troops were 
drilled every day. As Col. Rigne was thus engaged with his 
own and parts of several other regiments, among whom were one 
or two companies of black soldiers, one of the latter men, from 



300 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

inattention, failed to execute a command in proper time. " Hal- 
loo !" said the colonel, " you plack son of a b h wid a wite 

face ! — why you no mind you beezness ?" This hasty exclama- 
tion in broken English so pleased the troops, that a general burst 
of laughter followed. Seeing the men mirthful at his expense, he 
good humoredly gave the command to order arms. " JVbw;," said 
he, " laugh your 'pelly full all .'" and joining in it himself, hill 
and dale sent back their boisterous merriment. 

In the summer of 1779, Col. Wm. Butler received timely or- 
ders to move from Schoharie and join the forces under General 
Clinton at Canajoharie. Among Col. Butler's men, who had ren- 
dered good services in Schoharie during their sojourn, were Lieut. 
Thomas Boyd,* Timothy Murphy and David Elerson. Murphy 
was a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish parentage, and Elerson a 
Virginian, of Scotch descent. 

While Col. Butler was in Springfield, in the month of June, as- 
sisting to open a wagon road for the transportation of the boats, 
David Elerson obtained permission of his captain to proceed about 

• Lieut. Boyd was a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. He 
was about the usual height, and was a stout built, fine looking young man ; 
being very sociable and agreeable in his manners, which had gained him many 
friends in Schoharie. While there, he paid his addresses to Miss Cornelia, a 
daughter of Bartholomew Becker, who gave birth to a daughter after his 
death, of which he was the reputed father. This child, named Catharine, 
grew up a very respectable woman, and afterwards became the wife of Mar- 
tinus Vrooman. While the troops under Col. Butler were preparing to leave 
Schoharie, Miss Becker, in a state of mind bordering onphrensy, approached 
her lover, caught hold of his arm, and in tears besought him by the inost 
earnest entreaties, to marry her before he left Schoharie. He endeavored to 
put her off with future promises, and to free himself from her grasp. She 
told him " if he went ofi' without marrying her, she hoped he would be cut to 
pieces by the Indians !" In the midst of this unpleasant scene, Col. Butler 
rode up and reprimanded Boyd for his delay, as the troops were ready to 
march — and the latter, mortified at being seen by his commander, thus im- 
portuned by a girl, drew his sword and threatened to stab her if she did not in- 
stantly leave him. She did leave him, and anticipating future shame, called 
down the vengeance of heaven upon him. Her imprecation was answered, 
as will hereafter be seen, to the fullest extent : a fearful warning to those 
who trifle with woman's affection. Such was the last interview of Lieut. 
Boyd with the girl he had engaged to marry. — Josias E. Vrooman, who wit- 
nessed the parting scene. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 30 1 

a mile from the camp to a deserted house, and gather some mus- 
tard for greens. While thus engaged early in the day, he heard 
a rusthng in some rank weeds near, and on looking in that direc- 
tion, discovered to his surprise, nearly a dozen Indians cautiously 
advancing to capture him. He sprang and seized his rifle, which 
stood against the house, at which instant several tomahawks were 
hurled at him, one of them nearly severing a finger from his left 
hand. He dropped his haversack of greens and fled. In starting 
from the house, his foes ran so as to cut off his flight to his 
friends. He had to pass over a small clearing between the house 
and the woods, and on arriving at the farther edge of the former, 
he found his progress obstructed by fallen trees. He plunged in 
among them, when his pursuers, fearing he might escape, dis- 
charged their rifles at him. The volley rattled the old timber 
harmlessly about his head. Driven from the direction of the 
American camp, he fled, not knowing whither. After running 
for several hours, and when he began to think he had eluded the 
vigilance of his pursuers, an Indian appeared before him. As he 
raised his rifle the savage sprang behind a tree. At that instant, 
a ball fired from an opposite direction entered his body just above 
the hip — making a bad flesh wound. He then changed his di- 
rection, and renewed his flight. Descending a steep hill into a 
valley, through which coursed a small stream of water, he reached 
the level ground much exhausted ; but the moment his feet struck 
the cool water his strength revived, and scooping some up in his 
hand, which he drank, so invigorated him, that he gained the 
summit of the opposite hill with comparative ease. He had pro- 
ceeded but a little way further, however, when he found himself 
again growing faint ; and stepped behind a fallen tree just as an 
Indian appeared in pursuit. Not doubting but his hours were 
numbered, he resolved not to die unrevenged, and instantly raised 
his rifle to shoot him. Too weak and excited to hold his gun, be 
sat down upon the ground, rested it upon his knees, fired, and the 
Indian fell. He had barely time to reload his faithful piece, be- 
fore several other foes came in sight. His first thought was to 
bring down another, but as they gathered around their fallen 



302 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

chief, and began their death yell, the hope of escape again re- 
vived. While they were lingering around their comrade, Elerson 
darted off into the forest. He followed the windings of a creek 
for some distance, and finding in a thicket of hemlocks a large 
hollow tree, crawled into it, and heard no more of the Indians. It 
was near night, and being greatly exhausted, he soon fell into a 
sound sleep. On the following morning he backed out, found it 
rained, was lost, and again entered his gloomy shelter. As it 
continued to rain, he tarried in the log three nights and two days, 
without food or having his wounds dressed. He then crept from 
his concealment, cold, stiff and hungry, mi able at first to stand 
upright. He was enabled, by the sun's welcome rays to direct 
his course, and came out at a place in Cobelskill, known 
in former days as Brown's Mills, distant about three miles from 
where he had been concealed, and at least 25 from the place 
where he had first been surprised. Capt. Christian Brown, the 
owner of the mills, was acquainted with Elerson, treated him 
kindly, and sent him to the Middle Fort, ten miles distant, where 
his wounds were properly dressed, and he recovered. The writer 
saw, at his interview with this old soldier in 1837, when he ob- 
tained these facts, the scars from the wounds above noticed, and 
also other similar marks of honor. 

Captain Brown, (a brother of Judge Brown,) is the officer 
mentioned as having been engaged under Captain Patrick the 
summer before, in the Cobelskill battle. His mills — a grist-mill 
and saw-mill, were among the first erected in that part of Scho- 
harie county, and were not burned during the war, because a 
tory named Sommer, who owned lands not far distant, expected 
if Brown's place was confiscated to the British government, to 
obtain it. To gratify him the buildings were spared. Brown's 
house, a small one story dwelling, now covered with moss, is still 
standing. At the time the lower part of Cobelskill was burnt, 
a party of Indians plundered it. Captain Brown, learning that 
the enemy were in his vicinity, hurried his family into the woods^ 
and then returned to secure some of his effects. While thus 
engaged, he saw from a window a party of Indians approaching, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 303 

and as he could not leave the house so as to avoid being seen by 
them, he secreted himself in some part of it. The enemy enter- 
ed and supposing it entirely deserted, plundered and left it, after 
which Capt. Brown sought his family, and with them fled to a 
place of greater safety. — James Becker. At the house of Capt. 
Brown, (said George Warner,) during the absence of the former, 
and in the time of the Revolution, a wedding was consummated. 
The groom and bride were Brown's hired man and servant girl. 
The Cobelskill soldiers vfere invited guests, and of course attend- 
ed — for who does not attend a wedding when they can ? After 
the lovers were united, the party as abundantly served with 
good pork and sour-crout / and being the best the bride could 
provide, they were received with as much gratification as would 
have been the rich dainties of a modern festival of the same cha- 
racter. The parties were poor, and the friends knew it, and 
made themselves merry. The wedding was in truth a good one, 
for certainly " Jill 's well that ends well.''' 

Brown's mills were situated on a road now leading from 
Barnerville to the village of Cobelskill, about two miles from the 
latter place. They were erected on a stream of water a few rods 
from a deep pool, whence it issued. It was unknown for many 
years where the water came from, until a saw-mill was erected 
at Abraham Kneiskern's in Carlisle, on a stream of water, which, 
near the mill, sank into the earth and disappeared. After this 
mill began to operate, saw-dust made its appearance in the pool 
near Brown's mills, three miles distant. This mill-stream runs 
into the Cobelskill at Barnerville. Several mill-streams in Car- 
lisle and Sharon, sink into the earth, and re-appear at considerable 
distances from the place of entrance. 

While Gen. Sullivan, with his army, was at Tioga Point, he 
was much annoyed by small parties of Indians, who crept up in 
the long grass on the opposite side of the river, and fired upon 
his men, killing or wounding them in repeated instances ; and 
he devised a plan to intercept them : the execution of which was 
committed to Lieut. Moses Van Campen. The following is Van 



304 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Campen's own account of his manner of proceeding, as publish- 
ed in a small volume entitled, Sullivan's Campaign. 

" Major Adam Hoops — 

" An aid-de-camp to Gen. Sullivan, presented to me my 
instructions, with a sheet of white paper folded up, a leaden 
weight Avithin, and a twine-cord about twenty feet long fastened 
to it. I was to get as near the enemy's camp as was prudent, and 
to select one of the shady oaks, conceal my men in the bush, and 
place my sentinel in the top of the oak, with the paper and twine- 
cord — to give the signal if he discovered a party of Indians — to 
sink the paper down the tree as many feet as they were in num- 
bers — if passing to the right or left to give the signal accordingly. 
" It was one of the warm days in the latter part of August, I 
marched as near to the enemy's camp as I was directed. I se- 
lected my tree — my sentinel ascended twenty or twenty-five feet, 
and my men were concealed. We laid in watch about an hour. 
Every eye was fixed on the sentinel. At length the paper drop- 
ped down about four feet. I spoke to my men, saying, 'My good 
fellows, we shall soon have sport.' The paper continued to drop 
to ten feet. I observed again, ' We shall have somethimg more 
to do.' The paper continued to drop to fifteen feet. 'Now, my 
good fellows, we shall have enough to do — fifteen to twenty of 
us. Let every shot make their number less." Behold ! the fel- 
low had fallen asleep — let the twine-cord slip through his fingers — 
lost his balance — and came down like a shot head foremost. He 
was much bruised by the fall. I make my report to the general, 
&c., &c. 

Gen. Clinton joined Gen. Sullivan at Tioga, August 22d, and 
four days after, the army, then five thousand strong, moved for- 
ward. All the Indian huts discovered on the route from Tioga 
westward, with the fields of growing corn, beans, &c., were de- 
stroyed by the American troops. At Newtown, now Elmira, the 
enemy under Cols. Butler and Johnson, and the chieftain Brant, 
collected a force, threw up a breastwork, and prepared to dispute 
the further progress of the invaders of their soil. On the 29th of 
August the troops under Sullivan reached the fortifications of the 
enemy, and a spirited action followed. The enemy evinced great 
bravery, but being overpowered by numbers, they abandoned their 
works with considerable loss. 

Gen. Sullivan had a morning and evening gun fired daily while 
proceeding to and from the Indian country, for which he has been 
much censured by some chroniclers. His object in doing it was, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 305 

to notify the numerous scouting parties which were daily kept 
out, of his position. 

Several pleasing incidents owed their origin to the signal guns. 
In one instance a large party of Indians were in ambush to sur- 
prise an advanced guard when the signal gun was fired from ele- 
vated ground not far distant. The Indians — who ever dread the 
sound of cannon, supposing the gun fired at them, scampered off 
like frightened sheep. Upon the firing of a signal gun after the 
battle of Newtown, a white woman came into the American camp. 
Knowing Col. John Butler, whom she supposed could give her 
some account of her red husband, she enquired for Col. Butler, 
and was immediately introduced to Col. William Butler. On 
coming into his presence and finding him a stranger — the truth 
flashed upon her mind — she was in the American camp, and in 
the presence of those who would protect her. She stated that 
she was a native of Danbury, Connecticut ; had been married 
several years, and was living at Wyoming the year before, when 
that delightful country was devastated by the enemy — at which 
time she was made a prisoner. Her husband had been killed 
among the numerous victims of savage cruelty. She further 
stated that at the time she was captured she had three children — 
two small boys and an infant child at the breast. The boys were 
given to different Indians, and the brains of the infant were dash- 
ed out against a tree ; after which she was compelled to live with 
an Indian as his wife. W^hen she thus providentially entered the 
American camp, she had an infant child — the fruit of her late un- 
happy connection. This child died not long after, and it was 
suspected that an American soldier, from sympathy to the woman, 
had given it poison. As the Indian country had been invaded, 
this woman had been obliged to follow the fortunes of her master, 
and having been separated from him by the discomfiture of the 
enemy, Sullivan's cannon, which she supposed fired in the British 
camp, directed her course. On the return of the army, she went 
back to her friends in Connecticut. — James Williamson. 

After the battle of Newtown, Gen. Sullivan sent back to Tioga 
much of his heavy baggage, and pushed forward in pursuit of the 



306 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

enemy — fully executing in the destruction of the settlements the 
orders of the Commander-in-chief. The country of the Cayugas 
and Senecas, where the Indians had many flourishing settlements 
and several well built villages of good painted frame-houses, were 
entirely destroyed — together with the fields of growing corn and 
beans. Fruit trees, of which the Indians had an abundance, laden 
with green apples, peaches, and pears, were cut down. Ears of 
corn were found in that country full eighteen inches long, showing 
the exceeding fertility of the soil. It seems indeed lamentable that 
stern necessity should require the destruction of fruit trees, the 
growth of many years — but when we consider that they aflforded 
the enemy an important item of his annual food, we must admit 
that the measure as one of retaliation, was justifiable. 

At the Indian village of Kanadaseago, situated a little distance 
west of Geneva, a white male child was found by the American 
army. It was not more than three or four years old, and when 
discovered, was naked, with a string of beads about its neck. 
This child, which had been abandoned by the enemy in their pre- 
cipitate flight, was supposed to have been among the captives 
made the year before, on the frontiers of New York or Pennsylva- 
nia. He was found before the door of a hut playing with small 
sticks, and when accosted could only say, sago — how do, and a few 
other Indian words ; having been captured too young to give the 
least clue to his paternity. — James Williamson. 

In addition to the above, I learn from the son of Capt. Machin, 
respecting this probable orphan child, that it found in that officer, 
(an engineer in the army,) a god-father, and was christened 
Thomas Machin — that it was nearly famished when found, and 
could not have been kept alive, had not the Americans providen- 
tially taken a fresh-milk cow which had strayed from the enemy — 
that the milk of this cow, which was driven with the army on the 
return march for that purpose, afforded its nournishment — that the 
little unknown was taken in the fall to the house of Maj. Logan at 
New Windsor, where it took the small-pox in the hard winter 
following and died, without any information ever being disclosed 
as to its birth-place or parentage. 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 307 

Major Paar commanded the rifle corps which accompanied Sul- 
livan in his expedition. When the army, which had met with 
little opposition from the enemy after the battle of Newtown, ar- 
rived at the inlet of Conesus Lake, a scout was sent out early in 
the evening, under Lieut. Thomas Boyd,* one of which was 
Timothy Murphy. Says Major Hoops, in a letter I find in Sulli- 
varHs Campaign — 

" I was in the General's tent when he gave his instructions to 
Lieut. Boyd, which Vvere very particular — verbal, of course. The 
country before us was unknown. We had heard of an Indian 
Castle on the river Genesee, which, by our reckoning, might be a 
few miles ahead of us. The term Castle was taken from Chateau 
— the French having long before magnified Indian villages into 
Chateaux, afterwards rendered literally into English. There were 
the Oneida Castle, perhaps at or near to Utica, — the Seneca Cas- 
tle, near to the present village of Geneva, as well as some others. 
The Castle Lieut. Boyd was detached to discover, consisted, pro- 
bably, of a few Indian huts, near Williamsburgh, a few miles 
above the present village of Geneseo. 

" The evening before Lieut. Boyd was detached by Gen. Sulli- 
van from the inlet of the Kanaghsas Lake, a log bridge was begun 
and finished in the night, or early in the next morning, over the 
inlet. Boyd, not having returned by daylight, the General was 
very uneasy ; particularly from finding that, to the six riflemen he 
meant Boyd's party should consist of, tioenty-two musketmen had 
been added." 

The bridge alluded to was constructed by a strong covering 
party, sent in advance of the main army to open a road through 
a marshy piece of ground, and erect the bridge. The object of 
the scout was, to reconnoitre the ground near the Genesee river, 
at a place now called Williamsburgh, at a distance from the camp 
of nearly seven miles. The party were guided by Han Yerry — 
John George — a faithful Oneida warrior. 

In a skirmish which took place the afternoon previous to the 
surprise and massacre of Boyd's command, between Sullivan's 
advance guard and the enemy, the latter captured two friendly 
Oneidas, who had, from the beginning of the war, rendered the 
Americans constant service, and one of whom was then acting as 

*Some published account has erroneously stated the given name of this njai) 
to have been William. 



308 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Gen. Sullivan's principal guide. This Indian had an older broth- 
er engaged with the enemy, who, as they met, is said (in Stone's 
Brant) to have addressed him as follows : 

" Brother ! You have merited death. The hatchet or the war- 
club shall finish your career. When I begged of you to follow me 
in the fortunes of war, you were deaf to my entreaties. 

"Brother! You have merited death, and shall have your deserts. 
When the rebels raised their hatchets to fight against their good 
master, you sharpened your knife, you brightened your rifle, and 
led on our foes to the fields of our fathers. 

" Brother ! You have merited death, and shall die by our hands. 
When those rebels had driven us from the fields of our fathers to 
seek out new houses, it was you who could dare to step forth as 
their pilot, and conduct them even to the doors of our wigwams, 
to butcher our children and put us to death. No crime can be 
greater. But though you have merited death, and shall die on 
this spot, Trnj hands shall not be stained with the blood of a bro- 
ther. Who will strikeV 

In an instant the tomahawk of Little Beard was twirled with 
lightning rapidity over his head, and in another the brave Oneida, 
the friend of America and of humanity, lay dead at the feet of the 
infuriated chief. 

When we contrast the conduct of this Indian, who declared 
that his hands should not be stained with the blood of a brother; 
with that of the fratricide, who sought out his brother among the 
fleeing inhabitants of Wyoming, and shot him while in the act of 
begging for his life ; with that of William Newbury, at the mas- 
sacre of Cherry-Valley, who, finding a little girl by the name of 
Mitchell among the fallen, in whom the spark of life was re- 
viving, with the blow of his hatchet, in the presence of her con- 
cealed father, laid her dead at his feet ; with that of a tory named 
Beacraft, who was with the desolaters of Vrooman's Land ; and 
other instances of no less savage spirit — we shall find that of the 
unlettered Indian to rise in the scale of our just estimation, as that 
of his more savage allies, sinks them to abhorrence and contempt. 

One mile and a half from Sullivan's camp, the Indian path di- 
vided, one branch leading to Canasaraga, in the direction of Wil- 
liamsburg, and the other to Beard's Town. Boyd advanced cau- 
tiously and took the Canasaraga path. On arriving at the latter 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 309 

place, he found it deserted, although the fires of the enemy were 
still burning. As the night was far advanced, he encamped near 
the village, intending to seek out on the morrow, the location of 
the enemy. This was a most hazardous enterprise. Twenty- 
eight men, seven miles from their camp — a dense forest interven- 
ing — and a thousand foes besetting their path to cut off their re- 
treat. But danger was what the party courted. Before day 
break, Boyd dispatched two of his men to SuHivan's camp — in- 
tending to push forward still farther into the wilderness — but as 
they never reached it, it is quite probable they were intercepted by 
the enemy and slain. — S. Treats Oratiori, in Sullivan's Campaign. 
Before they were put to death, the enemy no doubt learned from 
them the exact situation of Boyd's command. Just after day- 
light, Lieut. B., accompanied by Murphy cautiously crept from his 
place of concealment. Near the village of Canasaraga, they dis- 
covered two Indians coming out of a hut, fired at' them, and a 
ball from Murphy's rifle sealed the fate of one. The other in- 
stantly fled. Murphy, as was his usual custom when he killed an 
Indian, took off his scalp, and as he had on a good pair of moca- 
sons, he transferred them to his own feet. After the escape of the 
Indian fired upon by Boyd, he rightly supposed his visit would 
soon be made known, and he resolved to return immediately to 
the American camp. Boyd was advised by Han-Yerry to pursue 
a different route back, which commendable advice he did not 
choose to follow. — James Williamson. 

About the time Murphy shot the Indian in the morning, an in- 
cident of interest occurred near the main army, which is thus re- 
lated by Maj. Hoops. 

" Early in the morning, Mr. Lodge, the surveyor, proceeded to 
chain from the west side of the inlet, where there was a picquet 
posted, and ascended a little way from the foot of the hill, outside 
the sentinels, in advance from the picquet, and was noting his 
work, when he was fired on by a single Indian who had crept up 
near him. Leaving his Jacob-staff standing, he made the best of 
his way toward a sentinel — the Indian almost at his heels, toma- 
hawk in hand. It is probable the Indian had not seen the senti- 
nel till he raised his piece and (when Mr. Lodge had passed him) 
fired, bringing him down, perhaps not mortally wounded. The 

21 



3 1 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

whole picquet immediately advanced, strongly supported ; and as- 
cending the hill, found a line of packs." 

Lieut. Boyd and his followers pursued their back track with 
the most zealous caution, with Han-Yerry in front and Murphy in 
the rear, to guard against surprise. It is not improbable that the 
two messengers sent forward by Boyd a few hoars before, had 
fallen into the hands of the enemy contiguous to the American 
camp, and that they had left their packs to intercept the returning 
scout, which were found soon after Mr. Lodge was fired upon. 
Not the rustling of a leaf or spear of grass escaped the observa- 
tion of the returning scout. Nearly two-thirds of the distance 
"was overcome — less than two miles intervened between them and 
the camp — and the party were beginning to breathe freely, when 
they were surprised by 500 Indians under Brant, and 500 Royal- 
ists under Butler. The enemy were secreted in a ravine through 
which they rightly conjectured Boyd would approach. — Statement 
of John Salmon, in Sullivan- s Campaign. What could 28 men 
do, when opposed by 1000, or nearly forty to one. Discovermg 
the enemy to be concealed in great numbers, Boyd resolved on at- 
tempting his escape by cutting through his thickly opposing ranks. 
In the first onset, not one of his men fell, although their fire told 
fearfully upon the enemy. A second and third attempt was made, 
and seventeen of the Americans had fallen. — Salmon. At the 
third onset of the brave scout, the ranks of the enemy were 
broken, and Murphy, tumbling a huge warrior in the dust who ob- 
structed his passage — even to the merriment of his dusky com- 
panions — led his thus liberated comrades. — Treat's Oration. 
Boyd, supposing if any one escaped with life it would be Mur- 
phy, determined to follow him, but not being as fast a runner, he 
was soon taken, and with him one of his men named Parker. 
Murphy, as he found the path unobstructed, exclaimed of himself, 
in hearing of the enemy, " Clean Tim. hy G — d ,'" shaking his 
fist at the same time at his pursuers. — Treat's Oration. After 
Murphy had been pursued for some time, he observed that he had 
distanced all his blood-thirsty followers except two, a tall and a 
short Indian. Several times as they neared him, Murphy would 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 311 

raise his rifle, which was unloaded, and they would fall back. He 
found as he ran, that his mocasons began to prove too tight, ow- 
ing to the swelling of his feet.* He opened a pocket knife, and 
while running (at the hazard of cutting his shins) he slit the tops 
of his mocasons, which afforded relief. Shortly after, he entered 
a piece of swale, and his feet becoming entangled in long grass 
and rank weeds, he fell. The place proved a favorable one for 
concealment, and he did not immediately rise. As his pursuers 
broke over a knoll so as to gain a view of the grass plot, not dis- 
covering him, although he did them, they altered their course. 
Murphy then loaded his rifle, and cautiously proceeded on his way 
to the camp. He knew from the beginning of the melee, should 
he be taken prisoner, what his fate would be, having the scalp of 
an Indian in his pocket, and his mocasons on his feet. Shortly af- 
ter Murphy again set forward, he discovered himself to be head- 
ed by an Indian in the woods : which discovery was mutual and 
both took trees. After dogging each other for some time. Mur- 
phy drew his ramrod, placed his hat upon it and gently moved it 
aside the tree ; when the Indian, supposing it contained a head, 
fired a ball through it. The hat was thereupon dropped, and run- 
ning up to scalp his man, the Indian received the bullet of Mur- 
phy's rifle through his breast ; exclaiming, as he fell backwards, 
« 0-wahI" 

Murphy, Garret Putman of Fort Hunter (afterwards a captain,) 
and a French Canadian, were all of Lieut. Boyd's command who 
regained the American camp. The two latter secreted them- 
selves early in their flight under a fallen tree, around which was 
growing a quantity of thrifty nettles, and escaped observation ; 
although several Indians passed over the log in pursuit of Mur- 
phy. John Putman, a cousin of Garret, also from the vicinity 
of Fort Hunter, was killed in Groveland. At his burial it was 
supposed he had been shot in the act of firing, as a ball and 

• It has been stated, and is now believed by many, that Murphy skinned 
the feet of this Indian and put the green hides on. It was not so ; and had 
he been disposed to have done it, which I cannot possibly admit, he could not 
have had time on that morning. 



312 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

several buck-shot had entered the right arm-pit, without injuring 
the arm. — Peter, a brother of John Putman, corroborated by James 
Williamson. 

A soldier named Benjamin Custom, who joined Gen. Sullivan 
with the troops from Schoharie, attempted to follow Murphy, 
but was overtaken and slain in Groveland. — Geo. Richtmyer. 
When Murphy reached the camp, and told the sad fate of his 
companions, Gen. Sullivan declared it was good enovghfor them, 
as they had disobeyed his orders ; possibly in advancing farther 
than he intended they should. — /. Williamson. 

"When Boyd found himself a prisoner, he obtained an inter- 
view with Brant, who was a freemason. After the magic signs 
of a brotherhood were exchanged, the dusky warrior assured the 
captain he should not be injured. Soon after their capture, Boyd 
and Parker were hurried off to the vicinity of Beard's Town, now 
in the town of Leicester, ten or fifteen miles distant from the bat- 
tle-field. Brant was called off on some enterprise not long af- 
ter, and the prisoners were kept in charge of one of the Butlers, 
probably Walter, the destroyer of Cherry-Valley; who began to 
interrogate them about the future instructions of Gen. Sullivan, 
threatening them, if true and ready answers -were not given, with 
savage tortures. Boyd, believing the assurance of Brant ample 
for his safety, too high minded to betray his country on the ap- 
pearance of danger, refused, as did Parker, to answer Butler's 
questions ; and the latter, executing his threat, gave them over 
to a party of Seneca Indians. Little Beard and his warriors, 
seized the helpless victims, and having stripped, bound them to 
trees. They then practised their favorite pastime for such occa- 
sions, of throwing their hatchets into the tree just over the heads 
of their victims. Becoming wearied of this amusement, a single 
blow severed Parker's head from his body. The attention of the 
tormentors being undivided, they began to tax their ingenuity 
for tortures to inflict on his surviving comrade. Making an in- 
cission into the abdomen, they fastened his intestines to a tree, 
and compelled him to move round it, until they were thus all drawn 
out. He was again pinioned to a tree, his mouth enlarged — his 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 313 

nails dug out — his tongue cut out — his ears cut off — his nose cut 
off and thrust into his mouth — his eyes dug out, and when sinking 
in death, he was also decapitated, and his disfigured head raised 
upon a sharpened pole. To those Indian cruelties we must sup- 
pose Butler was not only a witness, but that they were rendered 
the more inhuman, in the hope of gratifying his revengeful dis- 
position. Thus fell the brave Lieutenant Thomas Boyd, at the 
age of twenty-two years. 

On the arrival of Murphy, Gen. Sullivan ordered Gen. Hand 
forward to relieve Boyd and party. At the spot where the en- 
gagement had taken place, he discovered several Indian blankets, 
and an Indian's corpse, which had been accidently left among 
the fallen Americans ; but returned to the main army, ignorant 
of the fate of Boyd. — Oration of Treat. 

Poor Han-Yerry, who had performed prodigies of valor in the 
conflict of Oriskany, and who had rendered the American cause 
much real service, fell literally hacked in pieces. The army, as 
it moved on towards the Genesee river, buried the bodies of those 
who fell in the present town of Groveland. On the following 
day, Generals Clinton and Hand, with about two thousand troops, 
were sent across the Genesee river to Beard's Town, to destroy 
the dwellings, crops, &c. of the Senecas. — Treafs Oration and 
Letter of Van Camp en. 

Mr. Sanborn, a soldier who was on the extreme right wing of 
Clinton's army, discovered the headless bodies of Boyd and Par- 
ker. The rifle company of Captain Simpson, of which Boyd had 
been lieutenant, performed the melancholy duty of burying the 
mutilated remains of their comrades, which was done under a wild 
plum tree, and near a stream of water. — James Williamson. 

Beard's Town, one of the largest Indian villages in the Gene- 
see valley, was effectually destroyed, as were several other Indian 
towns on the west side of the Genesee, by the troops under Gen. 
Clinton, together with every growing substance found, that the 
enemy would eat. While this destruction was in progress, oflS- 
cers Poor and Maxwell proceeded along the east side of the river 
and destroyed the villages of Canawagtcs and Big Tree. Three 



314 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

days being thus occupied in this vicinity, in the work of devasta- 
tion, Sullivan commenced his return march to Tioga Point. As 
the American troops approached the western Indian villages, the 
women and children fled from them to Niagara, while the Indians 
and their tory allies prowled about the forest, watching the move- 
ments of their foes, and seeking a favorable opportunity to strike 
an effective blow. During the winter following, the Indians be- 
came a tax upon the British government, and as the weather was 
intensely cold, and they were fed on salt provisions, to which they 
were unaccustomed, they died in fearful numbers by the scurvy. — 
Treat's Oration. 

It is gratifying to know, that justice has now been done to the 
memory of Boyd and his companions. In the autumn of 1841, 
sixty-two years after their massacre, their remains were taken up, 
through the commendable zeal of the citizens of Rochester, re- 
moved to that city and deposited at Mount-Hope cemetery. On 
the delivery, by the citizens of Livingston county, of the bones 
of Boyd and Parker, which were found near the junction of two 
creeks, hereafter to be known as Boyd's creek and Parker's creek, 
and those of that unfortunate lieutenant's command who fell in 
Groveland, to the receiving committee of Monroe county, an 
appropriate oration was delivered at Geneseo, by S. Treat, Esq. 
of that place, to an audience, estimated at Jive thousand persons. 
When the procession arrived at Mount-Hope, near Rochester, and 
had deposited the sarcophagus and urn in their final resting place, 
a patriotic address was delivered by his Excellency William H. 
Seward. Several old soldiers took part in the ceremonies, among 
whom were Maj. Moses Van Campen, who had, in early life, been 
a near neighbor of Boyd, and Mr. Sanborn, who discovered the 
remains of Boyd and Parker the day after they were killed. The 
proceedings were highly creditable to the enterprise and patriotism 
of Monroe and Livingston counties, and will forever be hailed as 
a bright page in the history of Western New York. The place 
of their burial at Mount-Hope, is set apart not only to receive the 
remains of those brave men, but of any other soldiers of the revo- 
lution that may desire a burial there. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 31o 

To a State Convention, called to devise measures "for appre- 
ciating the currency, restraining extortion, regulating prices, and 
other similar purposes,''^ Frederick Fisher, John Frey, Christopher 
W. Fox, Crowneage Kincade, John Petrie, and Werner Deygert 
were elected by the people of the Mohawk valley, as certified to 
by Jacob G. Klock, chairman of Tryon county committee. Da- 
ted, Committee Chamber, August 16, 1779. 

In October of this year, the enemy, about two hundred strong, 
under Major Monroe, consisting of British regulars, tories, and In- 
dians, entered the Ballston settlement. Most of the early settlers 
of Saratoga county were from New England, and were good li- 
vers. An invasion had been anticipated, and two hundred Schen- 
ectada militia were sent to aid in protecting the settlement. A 
church, called afterwards the red meeting-house^ was being erected 
at the time, and opposite and near it, a dwelling owned by a Mr. 
Weed was inclosed in pickets, at which place the Schenectada 
troops were stationed. About the same time, the Ballston mili- 
tia, thinking the troops sent to aid them were not sufficiently cou- 
rageous, erected a small defence on Pearson's Hill, afterwards 
called Court House Hill, nearly two miles in advance of the stock- 
ade named, and where the invaders were expected to enter. The 
little fortress on the hill was guarded for several nights, but as the 
enemy did not appear, it was abandoned. 

The second night (Sunday night) after the Ballston troops dis- 
persed, the enemy broke into the settlement. They made their 
first appearance at Gordon's Mills, situated on a stream called the 
Morning kill, entering the public road at the foot of the hill no- 
ticed. Col. James Gordon, who commanded the Ballston militia, 
and Capt. Collins, an active partizan officer, living near him, were 
both surprised at their dwellings, and borne into captivity, with 
nearly thirty of their neighbors. On the arrival of the enemy at 
the house of Capt. Collins, Mann Collins, his son, escaped from 
it, and gave the alarm to John and Stephen Ball, his brothers-in- 
law. The latter mounted a horse, and rode to the house of Maj. 
Andrew Mitchell, (Major under Col. Gordon,) who, with his fa-, 
mily, fled into the fields, and escaped. The Balls also communi- 



316 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

cated intelligence of the enemy's proximity to the Schenectada 
troops at the Fort. 

At Gordon's Mills, one Stowe, his miller, was captured on the 
arrival of Monroe's party, and, for some reason, soon after libera- 
ted. Feeling himself obligated to Col. Gordon, he thought it his 
duty to inform him of his danger, and afford him a chance of es- 
cape. Crossing a field with that laudable intent, he met an In- 
dian, who, seeing a fugitive, as he supposed, attempting to escape, 
thrust a spontoon through his body, and instantly killed him. 

Great numbers of cattle and hogs were driven away at this 
time, or killed, several dwellings and out-buildings burned, and 
the whole settlement greatly alarmed by the invaders, who pro- 
ceeded directly back to Canada by the eastern route. Among the 
dwellings burned were those of one Waters, one Pearson, several 
Spragues, and several Patchins. Two dwellings, a little north of 
the present residence of Judge Thompson, owned at the time by 
Kennedys, escaped the torch, as the}'' had a friend among the in- 
vaders. 

The troops assembled in the neighborhood were on their trail 
by daylight on Monday morning, and followed some distance ; but 
meeting a liberated captive, who bore a message from Col. Gor- 
don advising the Americans to abandon the pursuit, it was given 
over. Why the message was sent, I am not informed, but pre- 
sume he either thought the enemy too strong to warrant it, or the 
prisoners in danger of assassination if a hasty retreat was neces- 
sary. Col. Gordon was an Irishman by birth, and a firm patriot. 
He was confined in a Canadian prison for several years, and was 
one of a party of six or eight prisoners, who effected their escape 
in the latter part of the war, and after much suffering succeeded 
in reaching home. Henry and Christian Banta, Epenetus White, 
an ensign of militia, and several others, neighbors of Col. G,, and 
captured subsequently, also escaped with him. Procuring a boat, 
the fugitives crossed the St. Lawrence, and from its southern shore 
directed their steps through the forest, coming out at Passama- 
quoddy Bay, in Maine, where they found friends. Before reach- 
ing a dwelling the party were all in a starving condition, and Col. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 317 

Gordon crave out, and was left, at his request, by his friends, who 
proceeded to a settlement, obtained assistance, returned, and bore 
him in a state of entire helplessness to a place of safety, where 
he recovered. 

While the party were journeying, they agreed that if either of 
them obtained any thing to eat, he should be permitted to enjoy or 
distribute it as he chose. In the forest, to which the trapper had 
not been a stranger, one of the number found a steel-trap, in which 
an otter had been caught, and suffered to remain. It was mostly 
in a state of decomposition. The leg in the trap was whole, how- 
ever, and a sight of that, Col. . Gordon afterwards assured his 
friends, looked more inviting to him than the most savory dish he 
had ever beheld ; but pinching hunger did not compel a violation 
of their agreement — his mouth watered in vain, and the finder ate 
his dainty morsel undisturbed. When the fugitives arrived at a 
house, and asked for bread, the woman told them she had not seen 
a morsel in three years. After crossing the St. Lawrence, two 
Indians accompanied them as guides, but under some pretext left, 
and finally abandoned them. The party, after suffering almost in- 
credible hardships, all reached their homes in Ballston to the great 
joy of their friends. — Charles and Hugh, sons of Major Mitchell. 

In the fall of 1779, several stockades in the vicinity of the Mo- 
hawk river were under the command of Col. Fr. Fisher, as ap- 
pears by a journal of that officer's military correspondence, placed 
in the hands of the author by his son Maj. Daniel Visscher. Col. 
Fisher established his head quarters at Fort Paris. The following 
facts are gleaned from the memoranda. His first -patrol for the 
several garrisons was " Washington," and countersign " Sulli- 
van." Subject to his direction were the troops stationed at the 
Johnstown Fort, Fort Plank, and the block-houses at Sacandaga, 
and Reme Snyder's bush. The last named was a little distance 
northeast of Little Falls. 

About the 10th of November, as reported to Gen. Ten Broek, 
then commanding at Albany, Col. Fisher mentions the burning of 
a dwelling in the back part of Mayfield. The owner, Harmanus 
Flanke, suspected of disaffection to the American cause, was then 



818 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

living in Johnstown. The house was supposed to have been de- 
stroyed by some one from the block-house at Sacandaga. The 
roof of another house, the owner of which was of similar politics, 
was torn off, such was the spirit of party animosity. 

In a letter to Maj. Taylor, then commanding the Johnstown 
Fort, dated November 27, Col. Fisher states that he is under the 
necessity of convening a court martial on the following day, and 
that he, the Major, should attend, bringing with him another offi- 
cer, also to act as a member. The same letter states that an ac- 
cident happened at that fort the same morning, by which two 
men were wounded — one mortally. The nature of the accident 
is perhaps explained in a letter from Col. Fisher to Gen. Ten 
Broek, dated the 28th instant. In it he states, that during his ab- 
sence to visit Fort Plank, a detachment of men from. Col. Stephen 
J. Schuyler's regiment mutinied, and expressing a determination 
to leave the fort, charged their pieces with ball, in presence of 
the officers. They were at first persuaded to unsling their packs 
and remain until Col. Fisher returned, but seeing Captain Jelles 
Fonda, (known afterwards as Major Fonda,) then in temporary 
command of the garrison, writing to Col. F., the mutineers again 
mounted packs, and knocking down the sentinels in their way, be- 
gan to desert in earnest. Capt. Fonda ordered them to stand, but 
not heeding his command they continued their flight, when he or- 
dered the troops of the Fort to fire upon them : the order was 
obeyed, and Jacob Valentine, one of the number, fell mortally 
wounded, and expired the next morning. The letter does not so 
state, but I have been advised that the deserters considered their 
term of enlistment at an end. The court martial, I suppose, con- 
vened to try Capt. Fonda, as I have been credibly informed that 
he was thus tried for a similar offence, and honorably acquitted. 

Early in December, as the season was so far advanced that an 
enemy was unlooked for, and provisions were becoming scarce, it 
was resolved, at a meeting of Colonels Fisher, J. Klock, and Lt. 
Col. B. Wagner, with the sanction of Gen. Ten Broek, to dismiss 
the three months militia from further service ; and some of the gar- 
risons were for a time broken up. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 319 

The early and energetic measures adopted in 1779, agjainst the 
enemy, prevented the sallies of the latter upon most of the fron- 
tiers of New York, and that year was one in which the pioneers 
suffered comparatively but little, from the tomahawk and scalping 
knife. 

At this period of the contest the states were beginning to gain 
favor in Europe. Early in 1779, the king of Naples opened his 
ports to the striped bunting of the United States ; and in the 
course of the season Spain declared war against England. John 
Jay was appointed by Congress, of which he was then a member, 
a minister to the court of Spain. 

Although no great enterprises were achieved to the United 
States during this season, if we except the destruction of the In- 
dian possessions in western New York ; still many events oc- 
curred in the length and breadth of the land, to raise and depress 
the hopes of the Americans. The south became the theatre of 
some of the most important events. An attempt was made by 
the American troops under Gen. Lincoln, and the French under 
the Count d'Estaing, to take Savannah; and notwithstanding the 
allied forces displayed great bravery, they were repulsed with a 
loss of 1000 men. Several good officers were killed in this un- 
fortunate attack, among whom was the noble and generous Pole, 
Count Pulaski, then a brigadier-general. 

Although several brilliant exploits were performed at the south 
by the American troops, still the year closed without any event 
transpiring to greatly accelerate the close of the contest. In the 
course of the season, Gen. Tryon and Gen. Garth wantonly de- 
stroyed much property along the coast of Connecticut. After 
sacking New Haven, they laid Fairfield and Norwalk in ashes, 
committing numerous outrages upon the helpless citizens. As 
the militia turned out promptly on those occasions, the British 
sought safety on shipboard. While the enemy were thus en- 
gaged in Connecticut, Gen. Wayne most gallantly stormed the 
fortress of Stony Point in the Highlands of the Hudson. 

It was also in the autumn of this season that Com. John Paul 
Jones, a meritorious and distinguished naval officer in the Ameri- 



320 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 

can service, alarmed several towns in Scotland, and in an en- 
gagement off that coast, took the British frigate Serapis, after one 
of the most bloody battles ever fought upon the ocean. Both 
ships were repeatedly on fire, and when the enemy struck his co- 
lors, the wounded could scarcely be removed to the conquered 
vessel, which was also much crippled, before the Bon Homme 
Richard, Jones's ship, went down. 

At the close of the season, part of the northern army went into 
winter quarters under Gen. Washington a second time at Morris- 
town, New Jersey, and the remainder in the vicinity of West 
Point. Owing to the almost valueless currency of the country, 
which would not buy provisions, a want of proper management 
in the commissary department, a lack of suitable clothing, and the 
extreme severity of the winter, the American troops suffered in- 
credible hardships. But this suffering was endured, for their be- 
loved commander suffered with them, and the object for which 
the soldier had taken up arms, had not yet been accomplished. 



( 321 ) 



CHAPTER XI. 



If the Indians had been severly chastised in New York in 1779, 
and had been obliged to seek out new habitations for their fami- 
lies, and consequently were not very troublesome that season ; 
they were early treading the war path the succeeding year, to 
revenge the lasting injuries done them. 

The following incident transpired in the spring of 1780, in the 
Mohawk valley. The facts were related to the author by John 
S. Quackenboss, and Isaac Covenhoven, the latter one of the ac- 
tors : 

George Cuck, a tory who had become somewhat notorious 
from his having been engaged with the enemy at Oriskany, 
Cherry-Valley, and elsewhere, entered the valley of the Mohawk 
late in the fall of 1779, with the view of obtaining the scalps of 
Capt. Jacob Gardiner, and his Lieut. Abraham D. Quackenboss, 
(father of John S.,) for which the enemy had offered a large 
bounty. Cuck was seen several times in the fall, and on one oc- 
casion, while sitting upon a rail fence, was fired upon by Abra- 
ham Covenhoven, a former whig neighbor. The ball entered the 
rail upon which he sat, and he escaped. As nothing more was 
seen of him after that event, it was generally supposed he had 
returned to Canada. At this period, a tory by the name of John 
Van Zuyler. resided in a small dwelling which stood in a then 
retired spot, a few rods south of the present residence of Maj. 
James Winne, in the town of Glen. Van Zuyler had three 
daughters, and although he lived some distance from neighbors, 
and a dense forest intervened between his residence and the river 
settlements, several miles distant, the young whigs would occa- 
sionally visit his girls. Tory girls, I must presume, sometimes 
made agreeable sparks, or sharkers, especially in sugar time. 



322 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

James Cromwell, a young man who lived near the Mohawk, 
went out one pleasant summer evening in the month of March, 
to see one of Van Zuyler's daughters. Most of the settlers then 
made maple sugar, and Cromwell found his fair Dulcinea, boiling 
sap in the sugar hush. While they were sparking it, the term for 
courting in the country, the girl, perhaps thinking her name 
would soon be Mrs. Cromwell, became very confiding and com- 
municative. She told her beau that the tory Cuck, was at their 
house. Cromwell at first appeared incredulous — " he is surely 
there," said she, " and when any one visits the house, he is secret- 
ed under ihejloor." The report of his having been seen in the 
fall instantly recurred to his mind, and from the earnestness of the 
girl, he believed her story. Perhaps Cromwell was aware that 
the girl when with him was inclined to be whiggish — be that as 
it may, he resolved instantly to set about ascertaining the truth 
or falsehood of the information. In a very short time he com- 
plained of being made suddenly ill, from eating too much sugar. 
The girl whose sympathy was aroused, thinking from his motions 
that he was badly griped, finally consented to let him go home 
and sMo-ar 0^ alone. Away went Cromwell pressing his hands 
upon his bowels, and groaning fearfully until he was out of sight 
and hearing of his paramour, when the pains left him. Taking 
a direct course through the woods, he reached the dwelhng of 
Capt. Jacob Gardinier, some four miles below his own, and with- 
in the present village of Fultonville, about 12 o'clock at night, 
and calling him up, told him what he had heard. Capt. Gardin- 
ier sent iramediatly to his Lieut. Quackenboss, to select a dozen 
stout hearted men and meet them as soon as possible at his house. 
The lieutenant enquired what business was on hand — the mes- 
senger replied — " Capt. Gardinier said I should tell you that there 
was a black hear to he caught.''^ In a short time the requisite 
number of whigs had assembled, and the captain, taking his 
lieutenant aside, told him the duty he had to perform. He de- 
clined going himself on account of ill health, and entrusted the 
enterprise to his lieutenant. He directed him to proceed with 
the utmost caution, as the foe was no doubt armed, and as his 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 323 

name was a terror in the valley, to kill him at all hazards. The 
party well armed, set off on the mission. 

The snow yet on the ground was crusted so hard, that it bore 
them, and having the advantage of a bright moon-light night, 
they marched rapidly forward. Halting a quarter of a mile from 
Van Zuyler's house, the lieutenant struck up a fire, and as his 
men gathered round an ignited stump, he addressed them near- 
ly as follows : " My brave lads ! It is said the villian Cuck, 
is in yonder house, secreted beneath the floor. The object of our 
visit is to destroy him. He is a bold and desperate fellow — ■ 
doubtless well armed, and in all probability some of us must fall 
by his hand. Those of you, therefore, who decline engaging in 
so dangerous an undertaking, are now at liberty to return home." 
" We are ready to follow where you dare to lead !" was the re- 
sponse of one and all. It is yet too early, said the lieutenant, 
and while they were waiting for the return of day, the plan of 
attack was agreed upon. At the stump was assembled Lieut. 
Quackenboss, Isaac and Abraham Covenhoven, twin brothers, 
John Ogden, Jacob Collier, Abraham J., and Peter J. Quacken- 
boss, Martin Gardinier, Jaraes Cromwell, Gilbert Van Alstyne, 
Nicholas, son of Capt. Gardinier, a sergeant, Henry Thompson, 
and Nicholas Quackenboss, also a sergeant. It was agreed that 
the party should separate and approach the house in different 
directions, so as not to excite suspicion. The appearance of a 
light in the dwelling was the signal for moving forward, and se- 
lecting Ogden, Collier, and Abraham J. Quackenboss to follow 
him, the lieutenant led directly to the house. As they approach- 
ed it, a large watch dog met them with his yelping, which caus- 
ed the opening of a little wooden slide over a loophole for ob- 
servation, by a member of the family ; but seeing only four per- 
sons, the inmates supposed they were sugar-makers. On reach- 
ing the door and finding it fastened, the soldiers instantly forced 
it — the family, as may be supposed, were thrown into confusion 
by the unexpected entrance of armed men. " What do you want 
here ?" demanded Van Zuyler. " The tory George Cuck !" was 
the lieutenant's reply. Van Zuyler declared that the object of 



324 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

their search was not in his house. The three daughters had al- 
ready gone to the sugar-works, and their father expressed to 
Lieut. Quackenboss, his wish to go there too. He was permitted 
to go, but thinking it possible that Cuck might also have gone 
there, several men then approaching the house, were ordered to 
keep an eye on his movement. Abraham Covenhoven was one 
of the second party who entered the house. There was a dark 
stairway which led to an upper room, in which it was thought 
the object of their search might be secreted. Covenhoven was 
in the act of ascending the stairs with his gun aimed upward, 
and ready to fire, as Abraham J. Quackenboss, drew a large chest 
from the wall on one side of the room, disclosing the object of 
their search. Discharging a pistol at Nicholas Gardinier, the 
tory sprang out before Quackenboss, who was so surprised that 
he^stood like a statue, exclaiming, " dunder! dunder! dunder P' 
The wary lieutenant was on his guard, and as Cuck leaped upon 
the floor from a little cellar hole, made on purpose for his secre- 
tion, he sent a bullet through his head, carrying with it the eye 
opposite. He fell upon one knee, when the lieutenant ordered 
the two comrades beside him to fire. Ogden did so, sending a 
bullet through his breast, and as he sank to the floor. Collier, 
placing the muzzle of his gun near his head, blew out his brains. 
Thus ended the life of a man, who, in an evil hour, had resolved 
to imbrue his hands in the blood of his former neighbors and coun- 
trymen. 

When the first gun was fired, Covenhoven said the report was 
so loud and unexpected that he supposed it fired by Cuck him- 
self, and came near falling down stairs. Had the party not divi- 
ded into several squads, the peep from the slide window would 
have betrayed the object of their visit, and more than one would 
doubtless have fallen before the villain had been slain, for he had 
two loaded guns in the house, and a brace of well charged pistols, 
only one of which he had taken into his kennel. They also found 
belonging to him, a complete Indian's dress, and two small bags 
of parched corn and maple sugar, pounded fine and mixed to- 
gether, an Indian dish, called by the Dutch quitcheraw — intended 
as food for a long journey. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 325 

After his death, it was ascertained that Cuck had entered the 
valley late in the fall — that he had been concealed at the house 
of this kindred spirit, who pretended neutrality in the contest, 
whose retired situation favored the plans of his guest, and was 
watching a favorable opportunity to secure the scalps mentioned, 
and return to Canada. The making of maple sugar he had sup- 
posed would favor his intentions, as an enemy was unlooked for 
so early in the season, and the persons whose scalps he sought, 
would probably expose themselves in the woods. He had intend- 
ed, if possible, to secure both scalps in one day, and by a hasty 
flight, pursue the nearest route to Canada. As the time of sugar- 
making had arrived, it is probable his enterprise was on the eve of 
being consummated ; but the goddess of liberty, spread her wings 
in his path, and defeated his hellish intentions. 

Van Zuyler was made a prisoner by the party, and lodged in 
the jail at Johnstown ; from whence he was removed not long af- 
ter to Albany. When they were returning home with Van Zuy- 
ler in custody, as they approached the sugar hush of Evert Van 
Epps, near the present village of Fultonville, one of them, put- 
ting on the Indian dress of Cuck, (which, with the guns and pis- 
tols were taken home as trophies,) approached the sugar makers 
as an enemy, which occasioned a precipitate retreat. The fugi- 
tives were called back by others of the party, when a rope being 
provided, their prisoner was drawn up to the limb of a tree sev- 
eral times by the neck ; but as he had been guilty of no known 
crime, except that of harboring Cuck, although suspected of burn- 
ing Covenhoven's barn in the fall, his life was spared and he was 
disposed of as before stated. Cuck was a native of Tryon 
county, and was born not many miles from where he died. 

On the 2d day of April, 1780, a scout of fourteen individuals, 
commanded by Lieut. Alexander Harper, (not Col. John Harper 
as stated by some writers,) were sent from the Schoharie forts by 
Col. Vrooman into the vicinity of Harpersfield, to keep an eye on 
the conduct of certain suspected persons living near the head wa- 
ters of the Delaware, and if possible to make a quantity of ma- 
ple sugar. The party were surprised after being there a few days, 

22 



326 msTORY OF schoharie county, 

by a body of Indians and tories under Joseph Brant, and hurried 
off to Canada. The scout consisted of Lt. Harper, Freegift Pat- 
chin,* Isaac Patchin his brother, Ezra Thorp, Lt. Henry Thorp, 
Thomas Henry, afterwards major, and his brother James Henry, 
Cornehus Teabout, one Stevens and five others. About the time 
they arrived at their place of destination, a heavy snow fell, and 
not anticipating the approach of a foe, they began their sugar 
manufacture. The preceding winter has justly been designated in 
the annals of mercury as the cold winter, and the spring was ve- 
ry backward. They were busily engaged in sugar making — 
which can only be done while the weather thaws in the day time 
and freezes in the night — from the time of their arrival until the 
7th, when they were surprised by forty-three Indians and seven 
tories. 

So unlooked for was the approach of an enemy, and so com- 
plete was their surprise, that the Americans did not fire a gun. 
Two of them were shot down, and eleven more, who were in the 
sugar bush, surrendered themselves prisoners. Poor Stevens, who 
was on that day sick in bed, and unable to proceed with the pri- 
soners, was killed and scalped in cold blood. Brant, on recognis- 
ing Harper, approached him. " Harper /" said he, " / am sorry 
to find you here!" " Why?" — asked the latter. " Because" re- 
plied he, " / must kill you, although we were once school mates!" 
The ostensible object of Brant's mission had been, to lay waste 
the Schoharie settlements. Confronting Harper, with his eyes 
keenly fixed upon him, he enquired — " Are there any troops at 
Schoharie ?" Harper's anxiety for the settlers prompted the ready 
answer — " Yes, three hundred continental troops from the eastward, 
arrived at the forts but three days since." The intelligence — false, 
although the occasion justified it — was unwelcome to the great 
chief, whose countenance indicated disappointment. The eleven 
prisoners were then pinioned, and secured in a hog-pen. Several 
tories were stationed to guard them during the night, among 

* Mr. Patchin was a fifcr during ihe war, and a general of militia after its 
close. He was a very worthy man, and once represented his county in the 
Legislature. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 327 

whom was one Beacraft, a notorious villain, as his after conduct 
will show. 

The Indians built a large fire near, and were in consultation for 
a long time, about what disposition should be made with the pri- 
soners. Harper could understand much of their dialect, and ov- 
erheard several of the Indians and tories urging the death of the 
prisoners, as they did not consider the enterprise sufficiently ac- 
complished. The opinion of Brant, which was that the party re- 
turn immediately to Niagara, finally prevailed. Often during the 
night, while an awful suspense was hanging over the fate of the 
prisoners, would Beacraft comfort them with this and similar salu- 
tations — " You d — d rebels ! you 'II all be in hell before morning" 

Lieut. Harper discovered, while the enemy were consulting the 
preceding evening, that his word was doubted by many of the par- 
ty, and early in the morning he was ordered before an Indian 
council consisting of Brant and five other chiefs. He was told 
that his story about the arrival of troops at Schoharie was unbe- 
lieved. The question as to its truth was again asked, while the 
auditors — tomahawk in hand — awaited the answer. Harper, 
whose countenance indicated scorn at having his word thus doubt- 
ed, replied that what he had before told them was true, and that 
if they any longer doubted it, they should go there, and have their 
doubts removed. Not a muscle of the brave man's countenance 
indicated fear or prevarication, and full credit was then given to 
the statement. Fortunate would it be if every falsehood was as 
productive of good, for that alone prevented the destroyers from 
entering the Schoharie valley, when it was feebly garrisoned, and 
where they intended to strike the first effectual blow in revenge of 
the injuries done them the year before, by the armies under Van 
Schaick and Sullivan. 

The rest of the prisoners were now let out of the pig-stye, when 
Brant told them in English that the intended destination of the 
party was Schoharie, which he had been informed was but feebly 
garrisoned — that his followers were much disappointed at being 
obliged thus to return — that it had been with difficulty he and his 
chiefs had restrained the desire of their comrades to kill the pri- 



328 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

soners and proceed to the Schoharie valley — that if they would 
accompany him to Niagara, they should be treated as prisoners 
of war, and fare as did their captors. The latter expressed a wil- 
lingness to proceed. They were compelled to carry the heavy 
packs of the Indians^ filled with plunder taken at the destruction 
of Harpersfield but a few days before, and all set forward for Ca- 
nada. They were still bound, and as the snow was several feet 
deep, they at first found it very difficult to keep up with the In- 
dians, who were provided with show- shoes. Some ten or fifteen 
miles from the place of capture, the party halted at a grist-mill, 
upon the Delaware river, owned by a tory. This royalist told 
Brant he might better have taken raore scalps and less prisoners ; 
and his daughters, sensitive creatures, even urged the more gene- 
rous chieftain to kill his 'prisoners then, lest they might return at 
some future day and injure their family. The enemy obtained of 
this tory about three bushels of shelled corn, which was also put 
upon the backs of the prisoners, and they resumed their march. 
They had proceeded but a few miles down the river, when they 
met Samuel Clockstone, a tory well known to Brant and most of 
the prisoners. When Brant made known to him the intended ex- 
pedition, and its termination from what Lieut Harper had told 
him, Clockstone replied — " depend upon it, there are no troops at 
Schoharie — I have heard of none." With uplifted tomahawk 
Brant approached Harper, who was confronted by Clockstone. 
" Why have you lied to me V — asked the Indian, with passion de- 
picted in every feature and gesture. Harper, apprised of what 
the tory had said, in his reply, thus addressed the latter. "I 
have been to the forts but four days since, the troops had then ar- 
rived, and if Capt. Brant disbelieves me, he does so at his peril.'* 
Noble, generous hearted fellow, thus to peril his own life to save 
the lives of others. He had alone visited the forts after the party 
were at the sugar-bush, which Clockstone happened to know, and 
the latter admitted that possibly troops had arrived. Brant was 
now satisfied that his prisoner had not deceived him, and the 
march was resumed. 

In the vicinity of Harpersfield the Indians made prisoners an 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 329 

aged man named Brown, and two little boys — his grand-sons. 
On the day after the party met Clockstone, as the traveling was 
very bad, Brown, having also a heavy pack to carry, found himself 
unable to keep up with the company, and begged permission of his 
captors to return ; telling them that he was too old to take any 
part in the war, and could not injure the king's cause. On his 
making this request, the party halted and the old gentleman's 
pack was taken from him. Knowing the Indian character, he read 
his fate in the expressive gestures of his silent masters, and told 
his grand-sons, in a low voice, that they would never see him 
again, for the Indians were going to kill him. He took an affect- 
ing leave of the boys and was then compelled to fall in the rear, 
where he was left in the charge of an Indian, whose face, painted 
black, denoted him as being the executioner for the party. In a 
short time this Indian overtook his comrades with the hairless 
scalp of the murdered prisoner, hanging at the end of his gun. 

The party proceeded down the Delaware river to the Cook- 
house flats, from whence they directed their course to Oquago. 
Constructing rafts, they floated down the Susquehanna to the 
mouth of the Chemung. The prisoners were unbound when on 
the raft, but rebound on leaving it. 

The Indians, capable of enduring more fatigue than their pri- 
soners on a scanty supply of food — being provided with snow-shoes, 
and having little baggage to carry, would probably have wearied 
out most of their prisoners, whose bodies, like that of poor Brown, 
would have been left to feast wild beasts, and their bones, like 
his, to bleach upon the mountains, had not Brant providentially 
fallen ill of fever and ague, which compelled the party for a time 
to lay by every other day on his account. They had been jour- 
neying about a fortnight, and were approaching a warmer lati- 
tude, when a rattle-snake, which had left its den in a warm spot, 
was kdled, and a soup made of it, a free use of tvhich effecte^a 
cure for the invalid. ^ 

The corn obtained near the head of the Delaware, was equally 
distributed among the whole party, by an allowance of about two 
handfuls a day, which was counted out by the berry to deal jus- 



330 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

tice. This is a noble trait of the Indian character. He never 
grudgingly gives a scanty allowance to his prisoner, and satiates 
his own appetite, but shares equally his last morsel with him. 
The corn was boiled in small kettles carried by the Indians pre- 
paratory to eating. 

While in the vicinity of Tioga-Point, the prisoners came near 
being sacrificed, to gratify the savage disposition to revenge, even 
on the innocent, an injury done to a friend. While the Indians 
were on their way down the Chemung, Brant detached ten of his 
warriors, mostly Senecas, to a place called Minisink,* an old 
frontier settlement on the borders of New York and Pennsyl- 
vania, in the hope of making prisoners and plunder. They ar- 
rived in due time at the place of destination, and succeeded in ob- 
taining several scalps and five prisoners, three men and two small 
children. The following particulars of their capture and escape, 
I find in a note subjoined to Treafs Oration, delivered at Genesee 
in 3841, on exhuming the remains of Lieut. Boyd and his com- 
mand. 

" The father of Major Van Campen was thrust through Avith a 
spear ; and whilst the red warrior was, with his foot on the breast 
of his victim, endeavoring to extricate his spear, another savage 
had dashed out the brains of Moses Van Campen's brother with a 
tomahawk, and was aiming a blow at Moses' head. He seized the 
Indian's arm, and arrested the descending blow. Whilst thus en- 
gaged, his father's murderer thrust his spear at his side. But he 
avoided the Aveapon, being only slightly w'ounded. At this mo- 
ment the chief interfered, and his life was spared. 

" After several days' march, the party of Senecas above men- 
tioned, arrived near Tioga point, with Lieut, (now Major) Van 
Campen ; a Dutchman by the name of Pence ; Pike, a robust 
Yankee; and two small children. During the day, these prison- 
ers marched Avith the party, bearing the baggage ; and at the eve- 
ning halt, AA'ere made to carry the Avood for the fires. 

" Van Campen had, for some time, urged upon the two men, 
prisoners Avith him, to make an attempt to escape during the night, 
by tomahaAA'king the Indians AA'hilst sleeping. He depicted to 
them the horrors of a long captivity, and of the agonizing tortures 
to Avhich they Avould probably be subjected. His companions, 
hoAA'ever, AA^ere at first alarmed at the danger of a contest Avith ten 
Avarriors. During the afternoon preceding the eventful night of 

• This word signifies, as I have been told, " Tkc water is gone.". 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 331 

their delivery, he succeeded in persuading them to join him in the 
meditated blow, before they crossed the river and their retreat was 
thereby cut off. He advised them to remove the Indians' rifles ; and 
with the head of the tomahawks, dash out their brains ; for if the 
edges of the weapon were used, the time required to extricate the 
hatchet after each blow, would prove a dangerous delay. He was 
over-ruled by his comrades ; and after some discussion among 
them, that plan was adopted, which was finally acted upon. 

" At evening, the savages, according to their custom, lighted 
their fires, and bound the arms of the captives behind their backs. 
They then cut two forked stakes for each side of the fire, and 
placed between them (resting on the forks) two poles, against which 
they could lean their rifles. During the evening meal, one of the 
savages, after sharpening a stick on which to roast his meat, laid 
down his knife in the grass, near the feet of Van Campen, who 
saw it, and so turned his feet as to cover it, hoping the Indian 
would forget it before going to rest. After the meal was finished, 
the ten Indians having first examined their prisoners to ascertain if 
they were fast bound, lay down to sleep. Five were on each side 
of the fire — their heads under the poles, and his rifle standing at 
the head of each, ready to be grasped at the instant. 

" About midnight. Van Campen sat up and looked around, to 
learn if all were asleep. Their loud snoring told him the hour to 
strike had arrived. He then, with his feet drew the knife within 
reach of his pinioned hands. Rising cautiously, he roused his 
companions. Pence cut the bands from Van Campen's arms, and 
the latter then cut loose his two comrades. There had been a 
slight fall of snow, which had frozen among the leaves, and ren- 
dered every footstep fearfully audible. But they succeeded in re- 
moving all the rifles to a tree at a short distance from the fire, 
without awaking one of the warriors. During the afternoon, sev- 
eral of the rifles had been discharged in killing a deer, and, through 
forgetfulness, left unloaded. The plan proposed was, that Pence, 
who was an excellent marksman, should lie down on the left of 
one row of Indians, with three rifles ; and, at the given signal, fire. 
They supposed the same ball would pass through at least two sav- 
ages. In the mean time. Van Campen should tomahawk three of 
those on the other side and Pike, two. Then there would be but 
three Indians remaining, and each of the captives was to fasten on 
his foe — Van Campen and Pike with their tomahawks, and Pence 
with one of the undischarged rifles. Fortunately, for their safety, 
Pence had taken the two unloaded rifles. 

" All things being ready. Van Campen's tomahawk dashed out 
the brains of one of the Indians at a single blow ; but Pence's ri- 
fle snapped without discharging. At the noise, one of the two as- 
signed to Pike's charge, with a sudden " ugh .'" extended his hand 
for his rifle. Pike's heart failing him at this awful crisis : he 
crouched to the ground and stirred not. But Van Campen saw the 
Indian starting to his feet ; and, as quick as thought, drove the 



332 msTORY OF schoharie county, 

tomahawk through his head. Just as the fifth blow of Van Camp- 
en had despatched the last savage on his side of the fire, Pence 
tried the third rifle, and the ball passed through the heads of four. 
The fifth on that side, John MohaAvk, bounded to his feet, and 
rushed towards the rifles. Van Campen darted between him and 
the tree, and Mohawk turned in flight. Van Campen pursued him, 
and drove the tomahawk through his shoulder. Mohawk imme- 
diately grappled his adversary ; and, in the struggle, both fell — 
Van Campen undermost. Each knew his life depended on the 
firmness of his grasp ; and they clung to each other with unre- 
laxed nerve, and writhed to break free. Van Campen lay under 
the wounded shoulder, and was almost suffocated with the Indian's 
blood which streamed over his face. He eagerly stretched his 
hand around Mohawk's body to reach the knife of the latter; fox 
the tomahawk had fallen from his hand in the struggle. But as 
they fell, the Indian's belt had been twisted around his body, and 
the knife was beyond his reach. At length they break away, and 
both spring to their feet. Mohawk's arms had been round Van 
Campen's neck, and the arm of the latter over the back of the 
former. As they gained their feet, Van Campen seized the toma- 
hawk and pursued the again retreating Indian. His first impulse 
was to hurl the hatchet at his foe ; but he saw at once the impru- 
dence of the course. If it missed its object, it would be turned in 
a moment against his own life ; and he therefore gave over the 
pursuit, and one alone of the ten Senecas escaped. 

" On returning to his comrades, he found Pike on his knees beg- 
ging for his life, and Pence standing over him with loaded rifle, 
ready to fire. Pence answered V. C.'s inquiry into his conduct, by 
saying, " De tam Yankee bee's a cowart, and I musht kill um." 
With difficulty Van Campen prevailed upon the Dutchman to spare 
the frightened and dastardly Pike. They then scalped their victims ; 
and, taking their riffes, set forward with the two boys, on their return 
home, which they reached in safety. Among the scalps which 
were strung to the belt of one of the warriors, were those of Van 
Campen's father and brother." 

Mohawk, the sachem "who had escaped from Van Campen, was 
occupying a little hut near Tioga Point, where the Minisink party 
were to await Brant's arrival, endeavoring to cure his wound, 
when he returned with his prisoners. As the party under Brant 
drew near that place, the war whoop was sounded, and was soon 
answered by a pitiful howl — the death yell of the lone Indian. 
The party halted in mute astonishment, when the Indian, with the 
nine pairs of mocasons, taken from the feet of his dead comrades, 
came forward and related the adventures of himself and friends, 
and the terrible disaster that had overtaken them. Instantly, the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 333 

whole band under Brant seemed transformed to so many devils in- 
carnate, gathering round their prisoners with frantic gestures, and 
cutting the air with their weapons of death. At this critical mo- 
ment, when the fate of the prisoners seemed inevitable from the 
known rule of Indian warfare, Mohawk threw himself into the 
midst of the circle, and made a signal for silence. This Indian 
knew most of the prisoners, having lived about Schoharie before 
the war. He told his attentive auditors, that the prisoners were 
not the men who had killed his friends, and that to take the lives 
of innocent men to revenge the guilt of others, could not be right : 
he therefore desired them to spare their lives. The storm of pas- 
sion which seemed ready but a moment before to overwhelm the 
prisoners, now yielded to the influence of reason, and the toma- 
hawks of the savages were returned to their girdles. 

The company again moved forward, the prisoners grateful to 
the Almighty for their deliverance from such obvious perils. On 
arriving near Newtown, the whole party, Indians as well as 
prisoners, were on the point of starvation, when an unusual 
number of wolf-tracks arrested their attention. They led to the 
half-devoured carcase of a dead horse, supposed to have been a 
pack horse, left by accident the fall before by the army under 
Gen. Sullivan. The under side of the animal, frozen, and buried 
in snow, was found in a good state of preservation. It was in- 
stantly cut up, and equally distributed, even to the fleshless bones, 
among the whole party. Fires were built — the meat cooked — 
and the nearly famished travelers feasted upon the remains of this 
horse, with far more satisfaction than would the epicure upon 
his most dainty meats. 

In the present county of Steuben, the prisoners saw the 
" Painted Post," which had been erected by the Indians, to com- 
memorate some signal battle fought upon the spot. Leaving the 
route of SulUvan on the Chemung, they proceeded farther north. 
On their journey, the tories, Beacraft,* and Barney Cane, boast- 

* Priest states, that Beacraft boasted at this time of killing a Vrooman 
boy in Schoharie. He had no lack of evil deeds at that period, but that 
writer must have misunderstood Gen. Patchin in that part of the narrative. 



334 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ed of the acts of cruelty each had then perpetrated during the 
war. The party descended to the Genesee river nearly famished, 
and there met a company of Indians that had arrived to make 
preparations to plant corn. The latter had brought with them 
from Niagara, a fine looking horse, which Brant instantly order- 
ed killed, and distributed to his again starving men and prisoners. 
No part of the animal, not even the intestines were suffered to 
be lost. They roasted the meat, using white ashes as a substi- 
tute for salt. They also found upon the Genesee flats, small 
ground nuts, which they roasted and ate with their horse flesh. 

From this place, Brant sent forward a runner to Niagara, a 
distance of eighty miles, to announce the result of his expedition, 
the number of prisoners, and their character. Brant was in pos- 
session of a secret which he kept in his own breast, that doubt- 
less operated as an incentive for him to save the life of Lieut. 
Harper and his men. Among the prisoners taken at the massa- 
cre of Cherry-Valley, in the fall of 1778, was Miss Jane Moore, 
whose mother was a sister of Harper. Not long after her arrival 
at Niagara, she was courted, and became the wife of Capt 
Powel, a British officer of merit.* 

Beacraft did kill a boy named Vrooman in Schoharie in the manner there de- 
scribed, but it was not until the 9th day of the following August, as will be 
shown. He also boasted of the act after it was committed. He was a no- 
torious villain, and partial justice was awarded him subsequently. 

• " In person, Brant was about the middling size, of a square, stout build, 
fitted rather for enduring hardships than for quick movements. His complex- 
ion was lighter than that of most of the Indians, which resulted, perhaps, 
from his less exposed manner of living. This circumstance, probably, gave 
rise to a statement, which has been often repeated, that he was of mixed 
origin. [The old people in the Mohawk valley to whom he was known, 
generally agree in maintaining that he was not a full blooded Indian, but 
was part white.] He was married in the winter of 1779, to a daughter of 
Col. Croghan, by an Indian woman. The circumstances of this marriage are 
somewhat singular. He was present at the wedding of Miss Moore from 
Cherry-Valley, who had been carried away a prisoner, and who married an 
officer of the garrison at Fort Niagara. 

" Brant had lived with his wife for some time previous, according to the 
Indian custom, without marriage; but now insisted that tlie marriage cere- 
mony should be performed. This was accordingly done by Col. Butler, who 
was still considered a magistrate. After the war he removed with his na> 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 335 

Brant suggested to his runner to the' fort, that Capt. Powel 
should send the warriors from both Indian camps contiguous, 
down the lake to the Nine Mile Landing — there to await his 
arrival with the prisoners. Having obtained permission from 
Col. Butler to do so, Powel gave the Indians a quantity of rum 
to aid, as they supposed, in their celebration, and away they 
went. The danger Brant justly apprehended, was, from the im- 
possibility of restraining the violent acts of many of the Indians, 
while the prisoners were running the gantlet, knowing that re- 
lations of the Minisink party would be present burning with re- 
venge, and all were smarting under the chastisement they had 
received the preceding year. He knew that no act, however 
atrocious, would be considered by many of his warriors, too se- 
vere to inflict at this time on the prisoners. That Harper was a 
relative of Mrs. Powel, Brant concealed from every individual of 
his party. 

Four days after the messenger had been sent forward, they ar- 
rived near Niagara, when the tories began to tantalize the prison- 
ers, by telling them that in all probability few of them would sur- 
vive running the gantlet. On arriving at the first encampment 
the prisoners were as happily disappointed to find that the lines 
through which they were to pass were composed of old women 
and children, who would not be likely to inflict much injury, as 
were the tories to find the revengeful warriors all absent. Most 
of the prisoners escaped with little injury, except Freegift Patch- 
in. He was approached by an old squaw, who, as she exclaim- 

tion to Canada. There he was employed in transacting important business 
for his tribe. He went out to England after the war, and was honorably 
received there." — Memoirs of Dr. Wheelock — see N. Y. Hist. Coll. 

Joseph Brant died on the 24th November, 1807, at his residence near the 
head of Lake Ontario, in the 65th year of his age. Not long before that 
event, the British government refused, for the first time, to confirm a sale of 
lands made by that chief, which mortified him very much. The sale was 
afterwards confirmed, at which he was so much elated, that he got into a 
frolick, that is said to have laid the foundation for his sickness, and re- 
sulted in his death. The wife of Brant, who was very dignified in her ap- 
pearance, would not converse in English before strangers, notwithstanding 
she could speak it fluently. 



336 ffiSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ed "poorshild" gave liira a terrible blow upon the head. As 
the prisoners drew near the second encampment, they were grati- 
fied to perceive that, through the policy of Capt. Powel, a regi- 
ment of British troops was thrown into parallel lines to protect 
them. When Patchin had arrived within a few rods of the gate- 
way, an Indian boy ran up and gave him a blow on the forehead 
with a hatchet, which had nearly proven fatal. A soldier stand- 
ing by, snatched the weapon from the hand of the young savage 
and threw it into the lake. The unexpected meeting of Harper 
"with friends among the enemies of his country, was no doubt very 
gratifying. 

On arriving at the fort, the prisoners were brought before- seve- 
ral British officers, among whom sat Col. John Butler as presiding 
officer. The colonel put several abusive questions to the pri- 
soners, and addressing Freegift Patchin, who stood nearest his 
seat, he asked him " if he did not think that by and by his In- 
dians would compel a general surrender of the Yankees'?" Smart- 
ing under his wounds, he replied that " he did not wish to answer 
for fear of giving offence." The unfeeling officer insisted on an 
answer, and the young American, whose patriotic blood was ri- 
sing to fever heat, replied — " If I must answer you, it is to say, 
JYo — you might as well think to empty the adjoining lake of its 
•waters with a bucket, as attempt to conquer the Yankees in that 
manner." Butler flew into a passion, called Patchin " a d — d 
rebel" for giving him such an insolent reply, and ordered him out 
of his sight. At this instant, a generous hearted British officer in- 
terfered. Said he to Col. B., "the lad is not to blame for an- 
swering your question, which you pressed to an answer : he has 
no doubt answered it candidly, according to his judgment." Ex- 
tending a glass of wine to Patchin, whose spirit he admired — 
" Here, my poor fellow," said he, " take this glass of wine and 
drink it." Such unexpected kindness received his grateful re- 
membrance. The examination of the prisoners having ended, 
Mrs. Nancy Bundy,* who was also a prisoner at the time, prepared 

•This woman staled to Freegift Patchin, " that herself, her husband, and 
two children were captured at the massacre of Wyoming, and brought to the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 337 

as speedily as possible, a soup made of proper materials for them. 

The captors received as their reward for the delivery of the 
Schoharie party eight dollars per head. This it is believed was 
the stipulated reward for American scalps or prisoners, to he paid 
for by Col. John Butler,* the British agent for that business, dur- 
ing the war : but it was often the case that the delivery of a com- 
mittee-man's scalp or his person, or that of an officer or noted sol- 
dier, entitled the possessor to a larger sum. From Niagara, the 
prisoners, except Harper, were sent from post to post, and finally 
lodged in prison at Chamblee. Here they remained in irons nearly 
two years, suffering most acutely for the necessaries of life. Free. 
Patchin was reduced to such a state, as to be unable to rise from 
the floor without the aid of one of the Thorps. 

Doctor Pendergrass, a physician who had the care of the prison- 
ers, totally neglected to require into their real condition, the con- 
sequence was that some of them became objects of loathing, even 
to themselves. Of the latter number was Free. Patchin. A wor- 
thy physician at length succeeded Pendergrass in his station, and 
the sufferings of the prisoners was at once mitigated. On his first 
visit to the prisoners confined in the room with the Palchins, 
Steele, the commanding officer of the fort, accompanied him. 
The doctor proceeded to examine the prisoners singly. Ashamed 

Genesee country. There she had been parted from her husband, the Indians 
carrying him she knew not where. She had not been long in the possession 
of the tribe with whom she had been left, when the Indian who had taken 
her prisoner was desirous of making her his wife ; but she repulsed him, say- 
log, very imprudently, she had one husband, and it would be unlawful to have 
more than one. This seemed to satisfy him, and she saw him no more for a 
long time. After a while he came again, and renewed his suit, alleging that 
now there was no objection to her marrying him, as her husband was dead, 
' for,' said he, ' I found where he was, and have killed him.' She then told 
him, if he had killed her husband he might kill her also, for she would not 
marry a murderer. When he saw that his person was hateful to her, he tied 
her, took her to Niagara, and sold her for eight dollars. The fate of her chil- 
dren she did not know. — Priest." 

* This man, who died some years after the war near Niagara, partially re- 
ceived punishment in this life for his cruelties in the Kevolution, for he was 
tix weeks dying — or rather continued to breathe in the most acute suffering for 
that length of time, every hour of which it was thought would prove his last. 
A. fact communicated by a friend who was in Niagara at the time. 



338 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

of being seen, Free. Patchin was occupying the darkest corner of 
the room, and had thrown an old blanket around him, to hide his 
naked limbs. The doctor at length approached him. " Well, 
my lad," he asked, " what is the matter with you ?" " Nothing, 
sir," was the reply. " Then get upon your feet," added the doc- 
tor. " I cannot do it," replied Patchin. The former then thrust the 
end of his cane under the blanket and removed it, discovering his 
pitiful condition. The doctor possessed a humane heart, and his sym- 
pathy for the prisoner was instantly aroused. Turning to Steele, 
with a look that denoted surprise and anger, he demanded to 
know why this prisoner had been so cruelly neglected, ordering 
his shackles instantly removed. The language and treatment of 
this medical officer was so unexpected, and so diiferent from what 
he had previously experienced, that Patchin could not refrain 
from weeping like a child. With proper treatment his health 
was soon improved. 

From Chamblee the prisoners were taken to Rebel Island 
where they remained nntil peace was proclaimed. From that 
place they were sent to Quebec, via Montreal, and put on board 
of a cartel ship bound for Boston : where they arrived after many 
perils at sea. They then directed their course to Albany, and 
from thence to Schoharie, where they arrived nearly three years 
after their capture. Gen. Patchin was married after the war, and 
settled in Blenheim, Schoharie county, where he resided until the 
close of his life. His widow assured the writer, that Mr. Patchin's 
constitution received a shock while a prisoner, from which he 
never entirely recovered. 

A large body of the enemy having been seen in the latter part 
of March, in the vicinity of Putman's creek, as stated in a letter 
from Col. Van Schaick, of Albany, to Col. Fisher, the former re- 
commended sending a reasonable force to the Sacandaga block- 
house. Col. Fisher accordingly despatched to that post one-third 
of his regiment, and ordered Lieut. Col. Veeder to repair thither, 
and take the command. The remainder of the regiment was or- 
dered out, and stationed at Fort Johnson and other commanding 
points near the Mohawk, until the 1st of April, and then dispers- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 339 

ed. The enemy, however, had lingered about the settlements, as 
the following letter will show : 

Caughnawaga, 3(? April, 17S0. 

" Sir — On Tuesday night last, the block-house [at Sacandaga] 
was attacked by a scouting party of Indians, to the number of se- 
ven, as near as could be ascertained, [proved to be five] and en- 
deavored to set it on fire in two different places, which they would 
have effected had it not been for the activity of one brave man who 
lived there, named Solomon Woodworth, who, although alone, sal- 
lied out and extinguished the fire. Whilst he was doing it, five 
shots were fired at him, one of which only touched him. On his 
return into the house he fired at them, one of whom he wounded 
in the thigh, on which the rest fled and took the wounded Indian 
with them. The reason of the block-house being without men at 
that time, was through the neglect of one of the militia officers, 
which I have taken notice of already in a particular manner. I 
immediately sent out a party after them, who returned without 
success for the want of snow shoes. Seven volunteers [six, as sta- 
ted in a subsequent letter] turned out on last Thursday, and came 
up with them on Saturday about 12 o'clock, when five of the In- 
dians fired upon my men, and the whole missed, upon which the 
brave volunteers run up and fired upon them with buck-shot and 
wounded every one of them, took, and killed the whole, and brought 
in all their packs and guns without ever receiving the least hurt. 
This intelligence I just received from Col. Veeder, by express from 
the block-house, where he commands sixty men. 

" You'll please order up some rum and ammunition for the use 
of my regiment of militia, being very necessary as the men are 
daily scouting. Your commands at any time shall be punctually 
obeyed, by 

" Your most humble servant, 

"FREDERICK FISHER, Colonel 

'* Col. Goshm Van Sckaick — sent by express." 

In a letter from Col. Fisher to Col. Van Schaick, dated April 
13th, the names of the volunteers in the above enterprise are gi- 
ven, and are as follows : Solomon Woodworth, John Eikler, Pe- 
ter Pruyn, David Putman, Rulf Vores, and Joseph Mayall. The 
Indians were overtaken and killed about forty miles north of Sa- 
candaga. 

At this period of the war, Marcus Bellinger was supervisor, and 
William Dietz, a Justice of the Peace for Schoharie. Agreeable 
to an act of Congress, passed Feb. 12, 1780, assessors were ap- 
pointed in the frontier districts to ascertain, as nearly as possible, 



340 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

how much grain each family might need for its consumption, that 
the remainder of the stock might be in readiness for their less pro- 
vident neighbors or the army. Bellinger gave written certificates 
to the requisite quantity for each family in his district, and Dietz 
gave written permits to such as had not a supply, to draw one. 

The following particulars were narrated to the author in 1841, 
by Moses JYelson, then a resident of Otsego county. He stated, 
that on the morning Cherry-Valley was destroyed, in the fall of 
1778, he, then in his 14th year, was at the fort j that when the 
alarm was given of the enemy's approach, he ran home — some 
half a mile distant — and, with his mother, then a widow with 
whom he was living, fled to Lady hill, east of the village ; where 
they remained concealed until the enemy had left. Nelson had 
four half-brothers at the time, older than himself, who were all in 
the service of their country. In the month of March following, 
he enlisted in the bateau service, for a term of ten months, on 
the Hudson river, rendezvousing at Fishkill. After the time of 
his enlistment expired, he again returned to Cherry-Valley, and 
was living with his mother at that place, where a few daring 
spirits still continued their residence, when, on the 24th of April, 
1780, a party of seventy-7iine hostile Indians and two tories, broke 
in upon the settlement. One of the latter, named Bowman, a 
former resident of the Mohawk valley, was the leader of the band. 
They had previously been to the vicinity of the Mohawk, where 
they had made several prisoners ; and passing along Bowman's 
creek — called at its outlet the Canajoharie creek — they captured 
several more, among whom were two persons named Young. 
This party killed eigld individuals and took fourteen prisoners in 
this expedition, and among the former was the mother of my in- 
formant, whose bloody scalp he was compelled to see torn off, 
and borne off as & trophy. 

This band of furies consisted of warriors from various tribes ; 
and among the number were two Stockbridge Indians, one of 
whom claimed Nelson as his prisoner. The route pursued by the 
enemy, after completing the work of destruction at that doomed 
place, was down the Cherry- Valley creek : and from Otsego lake, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 341 

down the Susquehanna to the Tioga, and thence westward via the 
Genesee flats to Niagara. 

The enemy while returning to Canada, separated into small 
parties, the better to procure the means of subsistence. The two 
Stockbridge Indians with whom he journeyed, made a canoe from 
a bass-wood tree, in which, with their prisoner, they floated down 
the Susquehanna. At Indian villages, the party usually assem- 
bled. At two of those, Nelson had to run the gantlet, but he 
escaped with little injury. One of the prisoners, an aged man, 
who ran with a heavy pack on his back, was nearly killed. When 
Nelson was about to run, his master, who was called Capt. Da- 
vid, took off" his pack to give him a fair chance for his life ; and 
on one accasion placed himself at the entrance of a wigwam to 
which the prisonesrs were to flee, to witness the feat. Owing 
to his fleetness, he was not much injured. Said his master as he 
approached the goal, you did run well. Many of the party — and 
among the number was his master David, tarried nearly two 
weeks to plant corn, in the Genesee valley — at which time he 
was sent forward with David's brother to Niagara, where he ar- 
rived after a journey of eighteen days from his captivity. 

As one of the Stockbridge Indians was an excellent hunter, 
Nelson did not suffer for the want of provisions, such as they were. 
The party, on their start from Cherry-Valley, took along several 
hogs and sheep, which were killed and then roasted whole, after 
burning off" the hair and wool. On his arrival at Niagara, Nel- 
son was told by his master that he was adopted as an Indian, and 
was at liberty to hunt, fish, or enlist into the British service. Not 
long after this he was sold into the forester service of the enemy, 
the duties of which were " to procure wood, water, &c., for the 
garrison, and do the boating ;" being attached to what was called 
the Indian department. He was sent on one occasion with a 
party to Buffalo. He was for a while, with several other captives 
whose situation was like his own, in the employ of Col. John 
Butler. More than a year of his captivity was spent in the vici- 
nity of Niagara. 

In the spring of 1782, when the enemy set about rebuildmg 

23 



342 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Fort Oswego, three officers, Capt. Nellis, Lieut. James Hare, and 
Ensign Robert Nellis, a son of the captain, all of the forester ser- 
vice, had charge of the Indians there employed. Nelson and two 
other lads, also prisoners, accompanied this party, which was con- 
veyed in a sloop, as waiters. About one hundred persons were 
employed in rebuilding this fortress, which occupied most of the 
reason. The winter following, Nelson remained at this fort, and 
was in it when Col. Willet advanced with a body of troops in Feb- 
ruary, 1783, with the intention of taking it by surprise. The en- 
terprise is said to have proved abortive in consequence of Col 
Willet's guide, who was an Oneida Indian, having lost his way 
in the night when within only a few miles of the fort. The men 
were illy provided for their return — certain victory having been 
anticipated, and their sufferings were, in consequence, very severe. 
This enterprise was undertaken, says Col. Stone, agreeably to the 
orders of Gen. Washington ; but it certainly added no laurels to 
the chaplet of the brave Willet. 

Col. Willett, possibly, may not have known that Fort Oswego 
had been so strongly fitted up the preceding year, and conse- 
quently the difficulties he had to encounter before its capture — 
be that as it may, the 'probahility is, that had the attack been made, 
the impossibility of scaling the walls, would have frustrated the 
design, with the loss of many brave men. The fort was surrounded 
by a deep moat, in the centre of which were planted heavy pick- 
ets. From the lower part of the walls projected downward and 
outward, another row of pickets. A draw-bridge enabled the in- 
mates to pass out and in, which was drawn up and secured to the 
"wall every night, and the corners were built out so that mounted 
cannon commanded the trenches. Two of Willett's men, badly 
frozen, entered the fort in the morning, surrendering themselves 
prisoners, from whom the garrison learned the object of the en- 
terprise. The ladders prepared by Willett to scale the walls, 
were left on his return, and a party of British soldiers went and 
brought them in. The longest of them," said JVelson, " when pla- 
ced against the walls inside the pickets, reached only about two 
thirds of the way to the top." The post was strongly garrisoned, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 343 

and it was the opinion of Mr. N. that the accident or treachery 
which misled the troops, was most providential, tending to save 
Col. Willett from defeat, and most of his men from certain death. 

While Nelson was with the two Indians on his way from Cher- 
ry-Valley to Niagara, David, his owner, afterwards told him that 
the other Indian wanted to kill him. He said he replied to his 
brother — " You must first kill me, then you will have two scalps 
and be a big man.^' On their route to Canada, they passed the 
body of a white man, who had been killed by some other party. 

Peace was proclaimed in the spring of 1783, and Nelson, with 
many other prisoners — none however, who were taken when he 
WEis — returned home via Ticonderoga and Fort Edward. Previ- 
ous to his return he visited Montreal, where he was paid for labor 
done in the British service the year before. 

Several times in April, of this year, the Mohawk river settle- 
ments were alarmed by anticipated invasions, but those alarms died 
away and were not renewed until near the middle of May. The 
following correspondence addressed to " Col. Fisher, at Caughna- 
waga," gives the earliest reliable testimony of the enemy's ap- 
proach. 

" Fort Paris, May 15th, 1780. 
" Sir — I have intelligence which I believe is very certain, that 
the enem)'' are on their way, and will attack in four different places 
in this county within a few days. I hope you will exert yourself 
to discover them, and make every possible preparation to defeat 
their design. 

" It is expected that they will come by the way of Sacandaga. 
•' I am your hble servt. 

" JACOB IvLOCK, CoV 

Bearing the same date, Col. Fisher received an anonymous let- 
ter written at Caughnawaga, stating that an invasion of the ene- 
my under Sir John Johnson was hourly expected, adding as a cor- 
roborating circumstance, that a number of his near neighbors, five 
of whom were named, had gone away the night before to join the 
invaders. The writer added, that he had written some days pre- 
vious what he suspected, and that the enemy would be very strong. 

Among the Fisher papers on this subject I also find the following- 



344 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Schenectada, 17th May, 1780. 
" Dear Sir — Just this moment returned from Albany, Col. Van 
Schaick has requested of me to write to you, requesting you to 
send me by the bearer, Serg-t. Carkeright, an account of all the 
persons that have gone to the enemy from your county, with their 
names, which request I wish you to comply with ; also let me know 
if any thing of the alarm has turned up. 

" I am, dear sir, your friend, 

" H. GLEN." 

" Col. ViSGER." 

Nothing more was heard of the enemy until Sunday night the 
21st day of May, when Sir John Johnson, at the head of about 
five hundred troops, British, Indians and tories, entered the Johns- 
town settlements from the expected northern route. The objects 
of the invasion doubtless were, the recovery of property concealed 
on his leaving the country, the murder of certain whig partizans, 
the plunder of their dwellings, and the capture of several indi- 
viduals as prisoners : intending, by the execution of part of the 
enterprize, to terrify his former neighbors. 

About midnight the destructives arrived in the north east part of 
the town, from which several of the tories had disappeared the day 
before, to meet and conduct their kindred spirits to the dwellings of 
their patriotic neighbors : for when Johnson was censured for the 
murder of those men, he replied that " their tory neighbors and 
not himself were blameable for those acts." A party of the ene- 
my proceeded directly to the house of Lodowick Putraan, an hon- 
est Dutchman, living two miles and a half from the court house. 
Putman had three sons and two daughters. On the night the en- 
emy broke into his house, two of his sons were fortunately gone 
sparking a few miles distant. Old Mr. Putman, who was a 
whisf of the times, and his son Aaron who was at home, were taken 
from their beds, murdered, and scalped. While the Indians were 
plundering the house and pulling down clothing from hooks along 
the wall, Mrs. Putman snatched several articles of female apparel, 
such as gowns, petticoats, &c. from the hands of a large Indian, 
tellino- him that such and such things she must and would have 
for her daughter. The fierce looking savage, whom few women 
of the present day would care to meet, much less to contend with, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 345 

offered some resistance to her gaining several garments, and they 
jerked each other about the room ; but seeing her determination to 
possess them, he finally }'ielded to her entreaties and prowess, and 
with a sullen " Umph /" let go his hold. After the enemy had 
been gone sometime from the house, Mrs. Putman and her daugh- 
ter Hannah, afterwards the wife of Jacob Shew, Esq., leaving the 
mangled remains of their murdered friends, proceeded to the Johns- 
town fort, where they arrived about sun-rise. The jail was pa- 
lisaded, and, with several block-houses built within the inclosure, 
constituted the Johnstown fort. 

At this period, one of Putman's daughters was married to Ama- 
sa Stevens, also a whig, living in the neighborhood. While some 
of the enemy were at Putman's, another party approached the 
dwelling of Stevens, and forcing the doors and windows, entered 
it from different directions at the same instant. Poor Stevens 
was also dragged from his bed, and compelled to leave his house. 
Mrs. Stevens, in the act of leaving the bed, desired a stout savage, 
or a painted tory, as she afterwards supposed, not to allow the 
Indians to hurt her husband. He forced her back upon the bed 
with her terrified children, a boy, named after his grandfather, two 
and a half years old, and an infant daughter named Clarissa, tell- 
ing her she should not be hurt. A few rods from the house Ste- 
vens was murdered, scalped and hung upon the garden fence. Af- 
ter the enemy had left the dwelling, Mrs. Stevens looked out to 
see if she could discover any one about the premises. She had 
supposed her husband taken by them into captivity ; but seeing in 
the uncertain star-light the almost naked form of a man leaning 
upon the fence, she readily imagined it to be that of her husband. 
In a tremulous voice she several times called "Jimasaf Amasa P^ 
but receiving no answer she ran to the fence. God only knows 
what her mental agony was, on arriving there and finding her hus- 
band stiffening in death. With almost supernatural strength she 
took down the body and bore it into the dwelling, (which, with 
Putman's, had been spared the incendiary torch from motives of 
policy,) and depositing it, sprinkled with the scalding tears of 
blighted affection, she snatched the two pledges of her early love 



346 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

and sought safety in flight to the fort ; where she found her sur- 
viving relatives. 

The amorous Putman brothers set out on their return home to- 
wards day-hght, from what is now called Saramons' Hollow, and 
discovering the light of the burning buildings at Tribes' Hill, they 
hastily directed their steps to the fort, meeting at the gate-way 
their mourning relatives. 

Stevens had just finished planting when murdered, and the next 
week purposed to have journeyed eastward with his family. The 
Putmans were killed on the farm now owned and occupied by 
Col. Archibald Mclntyre. They were both buried in one grave 
in a single rough box ; and while their neighbors were perform- 
ing the act of burial, they were once alarmed by the supposed ap- 
proach of the enemy and left the grave, but soon returned and 
filled it. — Clarissa, relict of Joseph Leach, and daughter of Amasa 
Stevens. 

Dividing his forces, Col. Johnson sent part of them, mostly In- 
dians and tories, to Tribes' Hill ; under the direction, as believed, 
of Henry and William Bowen, two brothers who had formerly 
lived in that vicinity and removed with the Johnsons to Canada. 
These destructives were to fall upon the Mohawk river settlements 
at the Hill, and proceed up its flats, while Johnson led the remain- 
der in person by a western route to Caughnawaga, the appointed 
place for them to unite. The Bowens led their followers through 
Albany Bush, a tory settlement in the eastern part of the town, 
where, of course, no one was molested, and directed their steps 
to the dwelling of Capt. Garret Putman, a noted whig. Putman, 
who had a son named Victor, also a whig, had been ordered to 
Fort Hunter but a few days before, and had removed his family 
thither ; renting his house to WiUiam Gault, an old English gar- 
dener who had resided in Cherry-Valley before its destruction, and 
Thomas Plateau, also an Englishman. V^^ithout knowing that 
the Putman house had changed occupants, the enemy surrounded 
it, forced an entrance, and tomahawked and scalped its inmates. 
The house was then pillaged and set on fire, and its plunderers 
knew not until next day, that they had obtained the scalps of 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 347 

two tories. In the morning, Gault, who was near eighty years 
old, was discovered alive outside the dwelling, and was taken 
across the river to Fort Hunter, where his vt^ounds were properly 
drest, but he soon after died. 

Among the early settlers in the Mohawk valley was Harman 
Visscher, who died before the Revolution, leaving an aged widow, 
three sons, Frederick a colonel* of militia, John a captain, and 
Harman; and two sisters, Margaret and Rebecca. Frederick 
the elder brother, who was born on the 22d of February, 1741; 
was married and resided a little distance below the paternal 
dwelling, which stood nearly on the site of the present residence 
of the Hon. Jesse D. De Graff. The other Fisher brothers were 
unmarried, and, with their mother and sisters, lived at the home- 
stead. The Fisher family was one of much influence, and warm- 
ly advocated the popular cause. The following anecdote will 
show the position of the elder brother, at an early period of the 
contest. Soon after the difficulties commenced at Boston, a meet- 
ing of the citizens along the Mohawk valley was called at 
Tribes' Hill, on which occasion Col. John Butler was present, 
and harrangued the multitude on the duties of subjects to their 
sovereign, &c., and then proposed a test for his hearers, some 
three hundred in number. Having formed a fine, he desired 
those who were willing to oppose the king, to remain standing, 
and those who favored royal pretensions to advance a few paces 
forward. The result was, Frederick Fisher stood alone, as the 
only avowed opposer of the British government. — David, his son. 

A few days before the invasion of Johnson, a bateau from 
Schenectada was seen opposite Col. Fisher's, taking in his most 
valuable effects; and his neighbors, living along the south side 
of the river, among whom was Nicholas Quackenboss, crossed 
over to learn the cause of his removal. On his arrival, the 
neighbor enquired of Col. Fisher if an enemy was expected, that 

• Some of the family write this name Visscher, and others Fisher. The 
original Dutch name was Visger. Harman Visscher's son Frederick, the 
colonel, wrote his name Fisher until just before his death, at which time he 
desired his children to spell the name as in the context. Fisher is the Eng- 
lish of Visscher. 



348 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

he "was thus preparing to move his family and effects? The 
colonel replied that he knew of no hostile movement unknown to 
his neighbors. After a little conversation of the kind, and when 
about to recross the river, said Quackenboss, clenching his fist 
in a threatening manner and addressing him playfully in Low 
Dutch, " Ah, colonel ! if you know something of the enemy and 
don't let us know it, I hope you '11 be the first one scalped !" 
Having sent his family to Schenectada, Col. Fisher went to the 
homestead, thinking himself and brothers would be the better 
able to defend themselves, if attacked by an enemy. 

On Sunday evening, about eight o'clock. Captain Walter 
Vrooman, of Guilderland, arrived at the Fisher dwelling with a 
company of eighty men, on his way to the Johntown fort. He 
had intended to quarter his men over night at Fisher's, for their 
own comfort and the safety of the family ; but the colonel, ob- 
serving that himself and brothers could probably defend the house 
if attacked, forwarded the troops to Johntown, knowing that that 
place was feebly garrisoned. 

After the murder of Gault and Plateau, the enemy proceeded 
up the river to the dwelling of Capt. Henry Hansen, which stood 
where John Fisher now resides.* On reaching the dwelling of 
Hansen, who was an American captain, the enemy forced an en- 
trance — and taking him from his bed they murdered and scalped 
him. His sons, Victor and John I., then at home were captured. 
Margaret, a daughter, was hurried out of the house by an Indian, 
who told her it was on fire. She asked him to aid her in carry- 
ing out the bed on which she had been sleeping, and he did so. 
Depositing it in an old Indian hut near by, and learning that her 
mother was still in the burning building, finding access through 
the door too dangerous, she broke a window in her room and 

* Henry Hansen was a son of Nicholas Hansen, who with his brother 
Hendrick, took two patents, each for one thousand acres of land along the 
north side of the Mohawk, above Tribes' Hill. The patents were executed 
by Gov. Hunter, and dated July 12, 1713. The brothers settled on those 
lands soon after, and Henry Hansen was the first white child born on the 
north side of the Mohawk west of Fort Hunter, and east of the German 
settlements, many miles above. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 349 

called to her. As may be supposed, the old lady was greatly 
terrified and bewildered at first ; but recovering, she groped her 
way to the window, and was helped out by her daughter, who 
assisted her to the hut — from whence, after day light she was 
conveyed to a place of safety. The enemy made no female scalps 
or captives at this time, and offered indignities to but few of the 
sex. In the garret of Hansen's dwelling was a keg of powder, 
which exploded with terrific effect. 

Proceeding west along the river, the enemy next halted at the 
dwelling of Barney Hansen, which stood where Benj. R. Jenkins 
now lives. Hansen, who chanced to be from home, had a son 
about ten years of age, who was then going to school at Fort 
Hunter. On Saturday evening preceding the invasion, Peter, a 
son of Cornelius Putman, of Ca-daugh-ri-ty,* about the same age 
as young Hansen, went home with the latter, crossing the river in 
a boat, to tarry with him over Sunday. The lads slept in a bunk, 
which, on retiring to rest on Sunday night, was drawn before the 
outside door ; and the first intimation the family had of the ene- 
my's proximity, was their heavy blows npon the door with an axe, 
just before daylight, sending the splinter's upon the boys' bed, cau- 
sing them to bury their heads beneath the bedding. An entrance 
was quickly forced, and the house plundered. The boys were led 
out by two Indians, and claimed as prisoners, but owing to the ear- 
nest entreaties of Mrs. Hansen that they might be left, a British 
officer interfered, saying that they were too young to endure the 
journey : they were then liberated. This house was built and 
owned by Joseph Clement, a tory , who was supposed to have been 
present ; consequently, it was not burned. 

From the house of Barney Hansen, the enemy proceeded to that 
of Col. Fisher, where Adam Zielie now resides, and where, too, 
they were disappointed in not finding any of the family : plunder- 

*Ca-daugh-ri-ty, is an Indian word, and signifies The Steep Bank, bach wall, 
or perpendicular wall .' In the southeast part of Glen is a high bank on the 
Schoharie, a mile or two from its mouth or the ancient Fort Hunter, occasion- 
ed by an extensive slide at least one hundred years ago, the Indian name for 
which originated at the time. 



350 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ing and setting it on fire, they hastened onward to the Fisher 
homestead, where they arrived just at daylight. Among the plun- 
der made at Hansen's, was the clothing of young Putman, and 
as the Indians threw away such articles as they considered useless, 
he followed them at a distance, recovering and putting on his ap- 
parel as fast as rejected. He obtained the last of it near the 
dwellino- of Col. Fisher — entering which he discovered it to be 
on fire. Looking for pails he found several which the enemy had 
broken, but a further search discovered a tub of sour milk : this 
he drew near the fire, and throwing it on the flames, with his 
hands extinguished them — not, however, until a large hole had 
been burned entirely through the floor. This house was consumed 
in October following. 

About twenty of the enemy first arrived at the old Fisher place, 
and attempted to force an entrance by cutting in the door, but be- 
ing fired upon from a window by the intrepid inmates, they re- 
treated round a corner of the house, where they were less exposed, 
the main body of the enemy, nearly three hundred in number, ar- 
rived soon after and joined in the attack. The brothers defended 
the house for some length of time after the enemy gained entrance 
below, and a melee followed in the stairway, on their attempting 
to ascend. Several balls were fired up through the floor, — the 
lower room not being plastered over head, which the brothers 
avoided by standing over the large timbers which supported it. 
At this period the sisters escaped from the cellar-kitchen, and fled 
to the woods not far distant. They were met in their flight by a 
party of savages, who snatched from the head of one, a bonnet ; 
and from the bosom of the other a neckerchief — but were allowed 
to escape unhurt. Mrs. Fisher, about to follow her daughters 
from the house, was stricken down at the door by a blow on the 
head from the but of a musket, and left without being scalped. 

The brothers returned the fire of their assailants for a while 
with spirit, but getting out of ammunition their castle was no 
longer tenable ; and Harman, jumping from a back window, at- 
tempted to escape by flight. In the act of leaping a garden fence, 
a few rods from the house, he was shot, and there killed and scalp- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 351 

ed. As the enemy ascended the stairs, Col. Fisher discharged a 
pistol he held in his hand, and calling for quarters, threw it behind 
him in token of submission. An Indian, running up, struck him 
a blow on the head with a tomahawk, which brought him to the 
floor. He fell upon his face, and the Indian took two crown 
scalps from his head, which no doubt entitled him to a double re- 
ward, then giving him a gash in the back of th« neck, he turned 
him and attempted to cut his throat, which was only prevented by 
his cravat, the knife penetrating just through the skin. His broth- 
er, Capt. Fisher, as the enemy ascended the stairs, retreated to one 
corner of the room, in which was a quantity of peas, that he might 
there repel his assailants. An Indian, seeing him armed with a 
sword, hurled a tomahawk at his head, which brought him down. 
He was then killed outright, scalped as he lay upon the grain, and 
there left. The house W'as plundered, and then set on fire, (as 
stated by Wm. Bowen, who returned after the war,) with a chemi- 
cal match, conveyed upon the roof by an arrow. 

Leaving the progress of the distructives for a time, let us follow 
the fortunes of Col. Fisher. After the enemy had left, his con- 
sciousness returned, and as soon as strength would allow, he as- 
certained that his brother John was dead. From a window he 
discovered that the house was on fire, which no doubt quickened 
his exertions. Descending, he found his mother near the door, faint 
from the blow dealt upon her head, and too weak to render him any 
assistance. With no little effort the colonel succeeded in remov- 
ing the body of his brother out of the house, and then assisted his 
mother, who was seated in a chair,* the bottom of which had al- 
ready caught fire, to a place of safety ; and having carried out a 
bed, he laid down upon it, at a little distance from the house, in a 
state of exhaustion. Tom, a black slave, belonging to Adam 
Zielie, was the first neighbor to arrive at Fisher's. He enquired 
of the colonel what he should do for him 1 Fisher could not speak, 
but signified by signs his desire for water. Tom ran down to the 

* This chair is preserved as a sacred relic by the De Graff family, at the 

Visscher house. 



352 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Da-de-nos-ca-ra* a brook running through a ravine a little distance 
east of the house, and filling his old hat, the only substitute for a 
vessel at hand, he soon returned with it; a drink of which restored 
the wounded patriot to consciousness and speech. His neighbor, 
Joseph Clement, arrived at Fisher's while the colonel lay upon the 
bed, and on being asked by Tom Zielie what they should do for him, 
unblushingly replied in Low Dutch, " Laat de vervlukten rabble 
starven!" Let the cursed rebel die! 

Tom, who possessed a feeling heart, was not to be suaded from 
his Samaritan kindness, by the icy coldness of his tory neighbor, 
and instantly set about relieving the suffering man's condition. 
Uriah Bowen arrived about the time Tom returned with the wa- 
ter, and assisted in removing the dead and wounded farther from 
the burning building. Col. Fisher directed Tom to harness a span 
of colts, then in a pasture near, (which, as the morning was very 
foggy, had escapped the notice of the enemy,) before a wagon, 
and take him to the river at David Putman's. The colts were 
soon harnessed, when the bodies of the murdered brothers, and those 
of Col. Fisher and his mother, were put into the wagon, (the two 
latter upon a bed,) and it moved forward. The noise of the wagon 
was heard by the girls, who came from their concealment to learn 
the fate of the family, and join the mournful groupe. When the 
wagon arrived near the bank of the river, several tories were pres- 
ent, who refused to assist in carrying the Fishers down the bank 
to a canoe, whereupon Tom took the calts by their heads, and led 
them down the bank ; and what was then considered remarkable, 
they went as steadily as old horses, although never before har- 
nessed. The family were taken into a boat and carried across the 
river to Ephraim Wemple's, where every attention was paid them. 
When a person is scalped, the skin falls upon the face so as to dis- 
figure the countenance ; but on its being drawn up on the crown 
of the head, the face resumes its natural look ; such was the case 
with Col. Fisher, as stated by an eye witness. 

• Da-de-nosca-ra or Dada-nus-ga-ra, " means literally, bearded trees, or 
tress with excrescences or tufts to them." (Giles F. Yates. Esq.) Lands ad- 
joining this stream were originally timbered with hemlock an! black ash, 
•which orisrinated the significant name. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 35-3 

Seeing the necessity of his having proper medical attention, 
Col. Fisher's friends on the south side of the river, sent him for- 
ward in the canoe by trusty persons, to Schenectada, where he ar- 
rived just at dark the same day of his misfortune. There he re- 
ceived the medical attendance of Doctors Mead of that place, 
Stringer, of Albany, and two Surgeons, belonging to the U. S. 
army. His case was for some time a critical one, and he did not 
recover as was anticipated ; but on turning him over, the reason 
why he did not was obvious. The wound inflicted by the 
scalping knife in the back of the neck, had escaped the observa- 
tion of his attendants, and the flies getting into it, and depositing 
their larva, had rendered it an offensive sore, but on its being pro- 
perly dresesd, the patient recovered rapidly. At the time Col. Fisher 
received his wounds, Nicholas Quackenboss previously mentioned, 
happened to be at Albany, purchasing fish and other necessaries, 
and on learning that his neighbor was at Schenectada, called, on 
his way home, to see him. On enquiring of Fisher how he did, 
the latter, placing his hand on his wounded head, replied in Dutch, 
" Well, JYicholas, you've had your wish .'" The reader must not 
suppose, from what took place between Fisher and Quackenboss, 
at the two interviews named, that the former at the time of remov- 
ing his family, was in possession of any intelligence of the enemy 
unknown to his neighbors. It was then notorious in the valley 
that an invasion was to be apprehended. 

Several attempts were made to capture Col. Fisher during the 
war, which proved abortive. After he recovered, he gave the 
faithful negro* who had treated him so kindly when suffering un- 
der the wounds of the enemy, a valuable horse. Gov. George 
Clinton, as a partial reward for his sufferings and losses in the 
war, appointed Col. Fisher a brigadier general ; but refusing to 
equip himself, his commission, which was dated February 6, 
1787, was succeeded on the 7th of March following, by his ap- 

• Tom afterwards lived in Schoharie county, where he was much respect- 
ed for his industrious habits, and where at a good old age he died. After 
his removal to Schoharie, he usually paid Col. Fisher a visit every year, 
when he received substantial evidence of that patriot's gratitude. 



354 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

pointment of first judge of the Montgomery county common 
pleas. 

After the war was over, a party of Indians on their way to 
Albany halted a day or two at Caughnawaga, among whom was 
the one who had tomahawked and scalped Col. Fisher, in 1780, 
leaving him for dead. This Indian could not credit the fact of 
his being still alive, as he said he had himself cut his throat } 
and was desirous of having occular demonstration of his exist- 
ence, and possibly would have been gratified by the family, but 
information having reached the ears of the colonel that his tor- 
mentor was in the valley, a spirit of revenge fired his breast, and 
himself and John Stoner, then living with him, who, in the mur- 
der of his father, had some reason for not kindly greeting those 
sons of the forest; having prepared several loaded guns, the 
friends of the family very properly warned the Indian and his fel- 
lows, not to pass the house within rifle shot distance ; which hint 
was duly taken, and serious consequences thus avoided. Judge 
Fisher — a living monument of savage warfare — was an active 
and useful citizen of the Mohawk valley for many years, and died 
of a complaint in the head — caused, as was supposed, by the loss 
of his scalp, on the 9th day of June, 1809. His widow, whose 
maiden name was Gazena De Graff, died in 1815. 

Some years after the Revolution, Judge Fisher, or Visscher, as 
it is now written by several of the family, to whom the homestead 
reverted on the death of his brothers, erected a substantial brick 
dwelling over the ashes of his birth place, where he spent the 
evening of his days amid, the associations of youthful pleasure and 
manly suffering. This desirable farm residence, a view of which 
is shown in the plate opposite, is pleasantly situated on a rise of 
ground in the town of Mohawk, several miles east of Fonda, 
Montgomery county. It is given the Indian name of the adjoin- 
ing creek, in the hope of preserving that name. Between the 
house and the river, which it fronts, may be seen the Mohawk 
turnpike, and the track of the Utica and Schenectada railroad. 
The place is now owned and occupied by Mr. De Graff, who mar- 
ried a grand-daughter of its former patriotic proprietor. 



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AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 357 

From this digression, let us return to the war-path of the ene- 
my. They captured three negroes and a wench belonging to the 
Fisher family ; burnt Fisher's barn, and in it, as supposed, their 
own dead, killed by the brothers ; from whence they proceeded 
to the dwelling of Barney Wemple, a little farther up the river — 
which was rifled and burnt with the out-buildings attached. 
Wemple had sent a slave, before daylight, to catch horses, who, 
hearing the firing, and discovering the light of the burning build- 
ings down the valley, ran to the house and gave the appalling in- 
telligence that a sleepless foe was near. Thus alarmed, the fami- 
ly fled, almost naked, into a small swamp, just in time to escape 
the tomahawk. Wemple erected a dwelling on the site of his 
former one, soon after it was burnt, which shared a similar fate 
during Johnson's invasion of the valley the following October. 
In their course up the river, the enemy also burnt the out-build- 
ings of Peter Conyne, the dwelling of John Wemple, and possi- 
bly one or two others. Arriving at Caughnawaga, the destruc- 
tion of property was renewed. Douw Fonda, who removed from 
Schenectada and settled at that place, about the year 1751, (the 
same year in which Harman Fisher settled below,) was an aged 
widower, and resided, at the time of which I am writing, with a 
few domestics, in a large stone dwelling with wings, which stood 
on the flats between the present turnpike and the river, a few rods 
east of the road now leading to the bridge. It had beeu the in- 
tention of the citizens to fortify this dwelling, and it was partially 
surrounded by strong pickets. Fonda's three sons, John,* Jelles, 
and Adam, also good whigs, were living in the neighborhood. 

• At the commencement of hostilities, he had some difficulty with Alexan- 
der White, sheriff of Tryon county, about their hogs and cattle breaking in 
npon each others premises, which resulted in a quarrel, in which White called 
Fonda a d — d rebel ; and the latter, provoked to anger, did not scruple to 
give his majesty's peace officer a severe caning: the result was, White took 
Fonda lo the Johnstown jail. The citizens in a mob soon after proceeded to 
the jail and liberated Fonda, and attempted to secure the person of the sheriff, 
then at the village inn kept by Mattice. Armed with a double-barreled gun, 
White fired several times on the assailants from an upper window, and then 
gecreted himself in a chimney, where he remained while the patriot party, 
who had forced an entrance, were in the house. Soon after, sheriff White, 



358 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Jelles Fonda* resided a short distance below the Caughnawaga 
church, owning a large dwelling and store, which stood where C. 
Hempsted now resides. At the time of this invasion, he was ab- 
sent on public business. About a week previous, he sent part of 
his family and effects in a bateau to Schenectada, to which place 
they were accompanied by the wife and children of John Fonda. 
The wife of Major Fonda and her son Douw, were at home, how- 
ever, on that morning. Hearing the firing at Fisher's, and dis- 
covering the light of the burning buildings below, Mrs. Fonda 
and her son fled to the river near, where there was a ferry. Re- 
maining in the ferry-boat, she sent Douw to get two horses, and 
being gone some time, her fears were excited lest he had been 
captured. As her apprehensions for her son's safety increased, 
she called him repeatedly by name. He returned with the horses 
and they began to cross the river, but had hardly reached its cen- 
tre, when several of the enemy, attracted to the spot by her voice, 
arrived on the bank they had left. A volley of balls passed over 
the boat without injuring its inmates, and leaving it upon the 
south shore, they mounted their horses, and directed their course 
towards Schenectada, where they safely arrived in due time. 

Adam Fonda, at the time of Johnson's invasion, resided near 
the Cayadutta creek, where Douw Fonda now does. Arriving at 
Adam Fonda's, the enemy made him a prisoner, and fired his 
dwelling. Margaret, (Peggy, as she was called,) the widow of 
Barney Wemple, lived near Fonda, and where Mina Wemplenow 

whose official authority was now at an end, was smuggled from Johnstown 
in a large chest by his political friends ; and his wife shorUy after followed 
his fortunes to Canada. The dwelling vacated by White, was owned at his 
death by Sir Wm. Johnson, and stood on the present site of the Montgomery 
county court house in Fonda : this dwelling was occupied by John Fonda af- 
terwards. — Mrs. Evert Yates, daughter of John Fonda. 

• Mr. Fonda had seen service in the French war under Sir Wm. Johnson, 
had for many years been extensively engaged in merchandising, was a cap- 
tain and afterwards major of militia in the Revolution ; and was much of that 
period in the commissary department. He was a man of wealth, influence 
and respectability, and at the beginning of colonial difficulties, had the most 
flattering inducements offered him to side with royalty, which he promptly 
rejected. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 359 

lives, at which place she then kept a public house. The enemy 
making her son, Mina, a prisoner, locked her up in her own 
dwelling and set it on fire. From an upper window, she made 
the valley echo to her cries of murder and help, which brought 
some one to her relief. Her voice arrested the attention of John 
Fonda, who sent one of his slaves round the knoll which former- 
ly stood west of the Fonda Hotel, to learn the cause of alarm ; 
but hardly had the slave returned, before the enemy's advance 
from both parties was there also, making Fonda a prisoner, and 
burning his dwelling. 

The eastern party, on arriving at the dwelling of Maj. Fonda, 
plundered and set it on fire. There were then few goods in his 
store ; but his dwelling contained some rare furniture for that pe- 
riod, among which was a musical clock, that at certain hours per- 
formed three several tunes. The Indians would have saved this 
house for the great respect they had for its owner, but their more 
than savage allies, the tories, insisted on its destruction. As the 
devouring element was consuming the dwelling, the clock began 
to perform, and the Indians, in numbers, gathered round in mute 
astonishment, to listen to its melody. They supposed it the voice 
of a spirit, which they may have thought was pleased with them 
for the manner in which they were serving tyranny. Of the 
plunder made at this dwelling, was a large circular mirror, which 
a citizen in concealment saw, first in the hands of a squaw, but 
it being a source of envy it soon passed into the hands of a stout 
Indian — not however without a severe struggle on her part. The 
Indians were extravagantly fond of mirrors, and it is not unlikely 
this costly one was broken in pieces and divided between them. 
Among the furniture destroyed in the house, was a marble table 
on which stood the statue of an Indian, whose head rested on a 
pivot, which, from the slightest motion was continually — 

" Niding, nodding, and nid, nid nodding." 

Neither the parsonage, which stood a little north of the present 
one, or the church at Caughnawaga, were harmed. Dr. Romeyn, 
then its pastor, was from home. Mrs. Romeyn, as she was flee- 

24 



360 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ing up the hill north of her house with her family, carrying two 
children, was seen by the Indians who laughed heartily at the 
ludicrous figure she presented, without offering to molest her, un- 
less possibly by an extra whoop. 

When the alarm first reached the family of Douw Fonda, Pene- 
lope Grant, a Scotch girl living with him, to whom the old gen- 
tleman was much attached, urged him to accompany her to the 
hill whither the Romeyn family were fleeing ; but the old patriot 
had become childish, and seizing his gun he exclaimed — " Pene- 
lope, do you stay here with me — / will fight for you to the last 
drop of blood /" Finding persuasion of no avail, she left him to 
his fate, which was indeed a lamentable one ; for soon the enemy 
arrived, and he was led out by a Mohawk Indian, known as One 
Armed Peter (he having lost an arm) toward the bank of the 
river, where he was tomahawked and scalped. As he was led 
from the house, he was observed by John Hansen, a prisoner, to 
have some kind of a book and a cane in his hand. His murderer 
had often partaken of his hospitality, having lived for many years 
in his neighborhood. When afterwards reproved for this murder, 
he replied that as it was the intention of the enemy to kill him, 
he thought he might as well get the bounty for his scalp as any 
one else ! Mr. Fonda had long been a warm personal friend of 
Sir William Johnson, and it is said that Sir John much regretted 
his death, and censured the murderer. This Indian, Peter, was 
the murderer of Capt. Hansen, on the same morning. With the 
plunder made at Douw Fonda's were four male slaves and one 
female, who were all taken to Canada. Several other slaves 
were of the plunder made in the neighborhood, and doubtless be- 
came incorporated with the Canada Indians.* 

An incident of no little interest is related by an eye witness 
from the hill, as having occurred in this vicinity on the morning 

• The preceding facts relating to this invasion were obtained from Daniel 
Visscher and John Fisher, sons of Col. Fr. Fisher ; Mrs. Margaret Putman, 
a sister of Col. Fisher; Angelica, daughter of Capt. Henry Hansen, and 
widow of John Fonda ; Catharine, daughter of John Fonda, late the wife of 
Evert Yates; Peter, a son of Cornelius Putman ; Volkert Voorhees ; Cornelius, 
on of Barney Wemple ; David, son of Adam Zielie ; and John S. Quackenboss, 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 361 

of this invasion. A little distance in advance of the enemy, a man 
was seen in a wagon which contained several barrels, urging his 
horses forward. Despairing of making his escape with the wa- 
gon, he abandoned it, and mounting one of his horses he drove to 
the river, into which they plunged and swam across with him in 
safety. On reaching the wagon, the barrels were soon found to 
contain rum, which had been destined to one of the frontier forts. 
Knocking in the head of a cask, the Indians were beginning to 
drink and gather round with shouts of merriment, when a British 
officer dressed in green came up, and with ^ tomahawk hacked 
the barrels in pieces, causing the liquor to run upon the ground, 
to the mortification of his tawny associates, who dispersed with 
evident displeasure. — Mrs. Penelope Forbes. Her maiden name 
was Grant. 

The enemy, led by Col. Johnson in person, on their way to 
Caughnawaga, plundered and burned the dwellings of James Da- 
vis, one Van Brochlin and Sampson Sammons. — Mrs. John Fon- 
da. Sammons with his sons, Jacob, Frederick and Thomas, were 
captured, but himself and youngest son, Thomas, were set at lib- 
erty : the other two were carried to Canada. For an account of 
their sufferings, see Life of Brant. 

Cornelius Smith, who lived two miles west of Major Fonda, on 
the morning of Johnson's invasion, was going to mill,* and called 
just after daylight at Johannes Veeder's. The latter was then at 
Schenectada, but his son, Simon, (afterwards a judge of Mont- 
gomery county,) who resided with him, was at home, and had 
arisen. On his way to Veeder's, Smith had discovered the smoke 
of the Sammons dwelling, but being unable to account for it, 
continued his journey, and was captured just below. Mr. Veeder, 
who had accompanied Smith toward the road from hearing the dis- 
charge of musketry down the valley, soon after his neighbor was 
out of sight, beheld to his surprise a party of Indians approach- 
ing him from that direction ; upon which he ran to his house, 

• A small grist mill, which stood near the present site of the district school 
house iti Fonda. This mill was inclosed by palisades in the latter pan of 
the war, to serve the purposes of a fort. 



362 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

(which stood a little distance above the present village of Fonda, 
where a namesake now resides,) pursued by them. He alarmed 
his family, which consisted of Gilbert Van Deusen, Henry Vroo- 
man, a lame man, and James Terwilleger, a German ; and seve- 
ral women and slaves. The three men snatched each a gun and 
fled from a back door, Vrooman with his boots in his hand ; and 
as Veeder, minus a hat, was following them with a gun in each 
hand, the enemy opened the front door. They leveled their guns 
but did not fire, supposing, possibly, that he would be intimidated 
and surrender himself a prisoner. As Veeder left the house, the 
women fled down cellar for safety. The fugitives had to pass a 
board fence a few rods from the house, and as Veeder was leaping 
it, several of the enemy fired on him, three of their balls passing 
through the board beneath him. One of his comrades drew up 
to return the fire, but Veeder, fearing it might endanger the safe- 
ty of the women, would not permit him to. The house was then 
plundered, and after removing the women from Ihe cellar, an act, 
I suppose, of an Indian acquaintance, the house was fired, and 
with it several out buildings. The dwellings of Abraham Veeder, 
Col. Volkert Veeder, that of Smith already named, and those of 
two of the Vroomans, situated above, also shared a similar fate, 
and became a heap of ruins. — Volkert, a son of Simon Veeder. 

At this period, George Eacker resided w^here Jacob F. Dock- 
stader now does, just below the Nose. Having discovered the 
fire of the burning buildings down the valley, he sent his family 
into the woods on the adjoining mountain, but remained himself 
to secure some of his effects. While thus busily engaged, several 
of the enemy arrived and made him prisoner. As they began to 
plunder his house, they sent him into the cellar to procure them 
food. On entering it, he discovered an outside door ajar ; passing 
which, he fled for the woods. As they thought his stay protract- 
ed, the Indians entered the cellar, and had the mortification to see 
their late prisoner climbing the hill, beyond the reach of their 
guns. Finding his family, he led them to a place of greater se- 
curity in the forest, where they remained until the present danger 
was past, and their buildings reduced to ashes. — David Eacker, 
first judge of Montgomery county at his death. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 363 

The enemy proceeded at this time as far west as the Nose, de- 
stroying a new dwelling, ashery, &c., just then erected by Major 
Jelles Fonda. — Mrs. John Fonda. 

When Sir John Johnson removed from Johnstown to Canada, 
a faithful slave owned by him, buried, after he had left, his most 
valuable papers and a large quantity of silver coin, in an iron 
chest, in the garden, at Johnson Hall. Among the confiscated 
property of Sir John sold at auction, was this very slave. He 
was bought by Col. Volkert Veeder, and no persuasion could in- 
duce him to reveal any secrets of his former master. This slave 
was recovered by Johnson on the morning of his invasion ; and 
returning to the Hall with his first owner, he disinterred the iron 
chest, and the contents were obtained. Some of the papers, from 
having been several years in the ground, were almost destroyed. 
This slave, although well treated by Col. Veeder, was glad of an 
opportunity to join Col. Johnson, (who had made him a confidant,) 
and accompany him to Canada. — Mrs. Fonda. 

Several boys were captured along the river, who were liberat- 
ed at Johnson Hall, and returned home, among whom were James 
Romeyn, and Mina Wemple. The latter, hearing the proposi- 
tion made by Sir John, to allow the boys to return, who was 
rather larger than any of the others, stepped in among them say- 
ing, me too ! me too ! and was finally permitted to accompany 
them off; and returned to the ashes of her inn, to console his 
mother. Thomas Sammons, Abraham Veeder, and John Fonda, 
(and possibly some others) were also permitted, on certain condi- 
tions, to return home ; the latter, and his brother Adam, casting 
lots to see which should be retained a prisoner. The captives thus 
liberated, were given a pass, by Col. Johnson, lest they might 
meet some of the enemy, and be retaken. They had not proceeded 
far when Veeder, (who was a brother of Col. Volkert Veeder,) 
halted, to read his pass. " Well," said his companion, Fonda, in 
Low Dutch, " you may stop here to read your pass, if you choose, 
but I prefer reading mine when out of danger of them red devils 
of Sir John's." — Evert Yates. 

Colonels Harper and Volkert Veed6r, collected, as speedily as 



364 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 

possible, the scattered militia of Tryon county, to pursue the inva- 
ders, but being too weak successfully to give them battle, they 
were permitted, almost unmolested, to escape with their booty to 
Canada. John J. Hanson, captured at Tribes' Hill, after journey- 
ing with the enemy two days, effected his escape, and arrived 
half-starved, at the dwelling of a German, living back of Stone 
Arabia, who supplied him with food, and he reached Fort Hunter 
in safety. — Mrs, Evert Yates. 



( 365 ) 



CHAPTER XII. 



The following facts were obtained in 1837, from Henry Hynds, 
a son of William Hynds, who was one of the few whigs living in 
New Dorlach, in the Revolution. On the evening of July 4th, 
1780, a party of the enemy, consisting of seven Indians, a squaw, 
and one white man, Capt. Adam Crysler, arrived in the settle- 
ment and put up, as was afterwards learned, at the house of Mi- 
chael Merckley. The ostensible object of their visit was, to cap- 
ture Bastian France, as a son of the latter informed the author; 
but as he chanced to be from home, at the suggestion of the 
Merckley family, they concluded to seize upon some other whigs 
in the vicinity. As there was but little intercourse among distant 
neighbors in that busy season of the year, and William Hynds was 
living in quite a retired place, it was suggested to Crysler, that if 
this family was carried into captivity, and the house not burned, 
they might be gone a week, and no one else know of their ab- 
sence. The suggestion was received with favor, and the next day, 
as the family of Hynds were at dinner, they were surprised, and 
taken prisoners. As the captors approached the dwelling, they 
fired a gun in at an open door, to imtimidate the family ; and en- 
tering secured Mr. Hynds, his wife, daughters Catharine, and Ma- 
ry, who were older than my informant, and four children, younger, 
Elizabeth, William, Lana, and an infant. The Indians then plun- 
dered the house of whatever they desired to take along. Henry 
was compelled to catch four horses belonging to his father, obedi- 
ence to which command several of the party stood with ready ri- 
fles to enforce, and prevent his escape. Upon the backs of three 
horses was placed the plunder made in the dwelling ; and upon 
the fourth, on a man's saddle, Mrs. Hynds, with several of her 
youngest children, was permitted to ride. The party moved for- 



360 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

"ward about 2 o'clock, and traveled that afternoon to Lake Utsay- 
antho, and encamped near the Champion place, seven miles dis- 
tant from the dwelling of Hynds. The second night they en- 
camped in an orchard near ColHer's. Among the plunder taken 
from the dwelling of Hynds, was a quantity of ham and pork, 
■which the Indians ate ; giving the prisoners flour, which they 
made into pudding. 

Mr. Hynds was bound nights, and a rope laid across his body, 
each end of which was tied to an Indian. The party were three 
weeks going to Niagara ; and killed on the route one deer, sev- 
eral muskrats, otters, &c., which served for food. In lieu of salt, 
they used ashes, and the family continued well until they reached 
Niagara. The large children went barefooted nearly all the way 
to Canada. Soon after they started, the squaw took from Henry, 
his shoes, which, as she could not wear them, she threw away. 
While journeying, they built fires nights, around which they slept 
upon the ground. Soup was their usual supper. On passing 
Indian villages, the prisoners were much abused by squaws and 
children ; and on one occasion, Mr. Hynds was knocked down by 
a blow upon the head with an empty bottle. 

Soon after their arrival at Niagara, Mr. Hynds and all his fa- 
mily, except Henry, took the fever and ague, of which William, 
a promising lad, died. The prisoners were at Niagara w^hen the 
troops under Sir John Johnson, destined to ravish the Schoharie 
and Mohawk valleys, set out on their journey. The tories from 
Schoharie and New Dorlach, who accompanied the army, often 
boasted to the prisoners, that Albany would soon be taken by the 
British, when themselves were to possess certain choice sections 
of the Schoharie flats. Mary, then fourteen or fifteen years of age, 
was separated from the rest of the family at Niagara, and taken to 
supply a vacancy in an Indian family, occasioned by the death of 
one of its members. Some time in the fall, the prisoners were re- 
moved to Buck's Island, where Elizabeth, the child next older 
than William, also died. From the Island, they were removed to 
Montreal, where Lana, the youngest child but one, died. Mrs. 
Hynds, whose constitution was undermined by the accumulating 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 367 

load of her mental and bodily sufferings, with her infant child 
soon after followed her other three children to the grave ; reduc- 
ing the family from nine to four. In the winter following his 
capture, Henry had a severe attack of fever and ague, and was 
removed from the guard-house to the hospital; where he was 
properly treated and soon recovered. 

About two years and a half after their capture, Mr. Hynds, his 
son Henry, and daughter Catharine, with nearly three hundred 
other prisoners, returned home by the usual route down the Hud- 
son river. Mary was detained nearly three years longer in Ca- 
nada, but finally returned home. As was surmised, the whigs of 
New Dorlach knew nothing of the capture of Mr. Hynds and his 
family until they had been gone three or four days. 

The greater part of the month of July, 1780, Seth's Henry, 
and a few other Indians, were secreted about the Schoharie set- 
tlements, in the hope of killing or surprising some of the princi- 
pal settlers, as he stated after the war. 

One dark night, this Indian, says Josias E. Vrooman, visited the 
upper fort, in the hope of surprising a sentinel. He commenced 
climbing up at one of the sentry-boxes, with a spear in his hand, 
but before he was within reach of the sentinel, who chanced on 
that night to be Frederick Quant, the latter heard his approach, 
and gave the usual challenge. The Indian then dropped down 
upon the ground, and threw himself under one of the farm wag- 
gons which usually clustered around the outside of the pickets. A 
ball from the rifle of Quant, fired in the direction he ran, entered 
a waggon near his head, but the Indian made his escape. 

For the following particulars the author is indebted to the ma- 
nuscript of Judge Hager, to Col. J. W. Bouck, and the memory of 
Dick, a former slave belonging to the Bouck family. 

About the 25th of July, William Bouck, an elderly man, the 
one mentioned as the first white male child born in Schoharie, 
went from the upper fort to his dwelling, situated where Wilhel- 
mus Bouck now resides, (nearly two miles distant from said fort,) 
to secure his crops, taking with him a girl named Nancy Latti- 
more, a female slave, and her three children, two sons and a daugh- 



368 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COtJNTY, 

ter. As the family were making preparations in the evening to 
retire to rest, Seth's Henry and three other Indians entered the 
house and captured them, securing the little plunder it chanced to 
contain. The leader was disappointed in not jfinding either of Mr. 
Bouck's three sons at home. 

Dick Bouck, the youngest of the slaves, as the enemy entered 
the house, sprang behind a door which stood open, and escaped 
their notice. The other prisoners were taken out, and as they 
were about to start on their journey. Master Dick, afraid of being 
left alone in the dark, made some noise on purpose to attract their 
attention, and one of the Indians re-entered the house and " hus- 
tled him out." Speaking of his capture, Dick said, " 1 made a 
noise, like a tarn fool, and de Ingens took me dar prisoner." The 
party then set forward, and the captor of Dick (then eight years 
old) took him upon his back, and carried him as far as the resi- 
dence of the late Gen. Patchin, a distance of seven or eight miles, 
where they encamped. The enemy expected to be pursued the 
following day, when it would undoubtedly become known that 
Mr. Bouck had been captured, and before daylight the march was 
resumed. After sunrise, Dick had to travel on foot with the other 
prisoners ; and on the following night encamped at Harpersfield. 
At this place lived a Scotch tory, named Hugh Rose, who made 
jonny-cake for the Indians, which the latter shared with their pri- 
soners. " Dis, said Dick, " was de fus food de gabe us fore we 
lef home." While on their way from the Patchin place to Har- 
persfield, the party, for obvious reasons, avoided the beaten road, 
but Dick, who said " de hushes hurt him pare feet," embraced re- 
peated opportunities to steal into it, and sometimes traveled seve- 
ral rods in it, before his violation of their commands was ob- 
served. He often was cunning enough to leave the road just in 
time to avoid detection, but repeatedly he was caught in "the for- 
bidden path," when he was put upon a new trail, with a threat or 
a slap. Rose furnished provisions for the enemy to subsist on a 
part of the way to Canada, and they left his house about 8 o'clock 
the next morning. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 369 

William Bouck, Jr. was out on a scout from the upper fort at the 
time his father's family was captured. The scout consisted of 
Bouck, John Haggidorn, Bartholomew C. Vrooman, (the first hus- 
hand of Mrs. Van Slyck before mentioned,) and Bartholomew 
Haggidorn. They were sent on the errand which had led so ma- 
ny scouts in that direction — to anticipate, if possible, any hostile 
movement of the enemy. The Indians, with their prisoners, had 
been gone but a very short time from the house of Rose, before 
the scout named entered it. They enquired of Rose if there were 
any Indians in that vicinity. " Yes," he replied, " the woods are 
full of them." They desired to know in what direction they were 
from his house, when, instead of sending them from, he directed 
them towards the enemy. The footsteps of the scout arrested the 
attention of the Indians, who halted, leveled their rifles, and wait- 
ed the approach of the former. The Indians were on a rise of 
ground, and as Bouck looked up he saw Nancy, waving her bon- 
net, with fear depicted in her countenance, which signal he right- 
ly conjectured was intended to warn him of danger, and direct his 
flight in another com-se. He instantly divined the reason of her 
being there, and apprising his comrades of their peril, he turned 
and fled in an opposite direction. At that instant the Indians 
fired, and John Haggidorn was wounded in the hip, and a ball 
passed through the cravat of Bouck, which was tied around his 
neck. Haggidorn fell, but instantly sprang up and followed his 
companions. Had they known that there were but four of the 
enemy, they would no doubt have turned upon them and rescued 
the prisoners. The scout returned to the house of Rose, and as 
Haggidorn was too severely wounded to proceed, he was left by 
his friends, who assured the tory that if harm befel their wounded 
friend, or he was not well taken care of, his own life should be the 
forfeit. 

As was anticipated, Bouck was missing in the morning, and as 
soon as information of the fact reached the fort, Capt. Hager des- 
patched about twenty men, under the command of Lieutenants 
Ephraim Vrooman and Joseph Harper, in pursuit of the captors. 
They rightly conjectured the enemy would take the usual route to- 



370 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

wards Harpersfield, and after proceeding in uncertainty until they 
discovered the track of Dick in the path, which they at once sup- 
posed left the impression of his heel, they pushed forward rapidly. 
The scout had gone but a few miles towards the fort, when they 
fortuately fell in with the pursuing party, and instantly joined it. 
After arriving at the place where Haggidorn had been wounded, 
they soon struck upon the trail of the enemy, which ascended the 
high grounds near. The Indians had gone but a mile or two be- 
yond where the scout saw them, and halted to rest upon a narrow 
plain near the top of the mountain, where three of them remain- 
ed with the prisoners, while Seth's Henry ascended to the summit, 
which afforded a most extended prospect, to reconnoitre. The In- 
dians left with the prisoners, feeling themselves secure, had laid 
down their packs, and were in the act of mending their mocasons, 
as the Americans were cautiously winding their way up the ac- 
clivity. 

Seth's Henry, from his elevated position, completely overlooked 
his approaching foes, and feeling satisfied that they were now 
safe, he had just returned to his companions and told them they 
were out of danger from pursuit, as the Americans gained a view 
of them within rifle-shot distance. The lives of the prisoners 
being endangered, several of whom were nearest the Americans, 
prevented the instant discharge of a volley of balls, but as Leek 
had a fair aim upon an Indian, he snapped and his rifle unfortu- 
nately missed fire. Hearing the click of this lock, the Indians 
instantly sprang to their feet, seized their weapons, and leaving 
their prisoners and packs, giving a whoop and exclaiming Yan- 
kees, fled barefooted down the mountain in an opposite direction. 
The prisoners were then unbound, grateful for so unexpected a 
deliverance, and the party descended the hill, and proceeded to 
the dwelling of Rose. A kind of litter was there prepared, on 
which Haggidorn was carried by his friends to the fort, where, 
under proper treatment, he recovered. 

If Seth's Henry, was foiled in taking Mr. Bouck and his family 
to Canada, it did not discourage him from making other attempts 
to surprise some of the Schoharie citizens. Familiar as he was 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 371 

with every hill, dale, ravine, and cluster of shrubbery along the 
river, he was enabled often to approach the very dwellings of the 
settlers, without being observed. 

He told Mrs. Van Slyck, after the war, that on Tuesday, one 
week before the destruction of Vrooman's Land, and about a week 
after his capture of William Bouck, himself and two other In- 
dians, one of whom was called William, his sister's son, lay con- 
cealed near a spring, in an angle of a fence, by the thick shade of 
a sassafras tree, not far from her father's dwelling, when she with 
a pail went to the spring for water — that Williapa wanted to shoot 
her, but he would not let him. 

Mrs. Van Slyck stated, that on the day referred to, her father, 
Samuel Vrooman, was at work, with several others, in a field of 
grain not far from his house, where a small party of riflemen from 
the fort were in attendance to guard them; and that she was at 
home alone to prepare their dinner. W^hen she had it about 
ready, she went with a pail to the spring mentioned for water. 
As she approached it she saw the mocasoned track of an In- 
dian, which she at once recognized as such, but recently made 
in the soft earth near it. In an instant she was seized with the 
most lively apprehension ; and the first thought — as she felt her 
hair move on her head — was, that she would turn and run ; but 
this would betray to the enemy her knowledge of their supposed 
proximity ; whereas, if she did not pretend to notice the track, if 
her scalp was not what the foe sought, she would doubtless es- 
cape. She therefore walked boldly up to the spring, dipped her 
pail, with little caution about roiling the water, and walked back 
to the house. She expected, -at every step, to hear the crack of 
a rifle discharged at herself, and passing several stumps on the 
way, this, and this, thought *she, will shield me for the moment. 
On arriving at the house, she set down her pail, and ran to the 
field (leaving several gates open) to tell her friends what she had 
seen at the spring. The soldiers visited it and saw the Indian 
foot-marks, but the makers, observing their approach, had fled. 

Seth's Henry pretended, after the war, that nothing but his 
friendship for her saved informant's life at the spring, but the fear 



372 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

of pursuit from the riflemen near, was, perhaps, the real cause of 
her escape. William, who leveled his rifle at her, and was pre- 
vented firing by the caution of his leader, had, for many years, 
held a grudge against her. Being often at her father's house be- 
fore the war, she one day accused him of stealing geese eggs, 
which he resented, although perhaps guilty, drew his knife and 
struck a bio w at her, the blade of which entered the right thigh, 
leaving an indellible evidence of his resentment. 

The same day that those Indians were concealed at Vrooman's 
spring, they werq, discovered elsewhere by some person in the 
settlement. Seth's Henry told Mrs. Van Slyck, that the night 
preceding his visit to the spring, he, with his companions, had 
entered the kitchen of Ephraim Vrooman's dwelling, and finding 
a kettle of supawn, made use of it for their suppers. Two Ger- 
mans lodged in the house that night ; a fact unknown to the In- 
dians, as was to the former the nocturnal visit of the latter. Af- 
ter procuring food at this house, they went to the barn of Samuel 
Vrooman, where they tarried over night. Thus were an armed 
and savage foe often prowling about the very dwellings of the 
frontier settlers of New York, without their knowledge. 

Seth's Henry, at his interview, also stated to Mrs. Van Slyck, 
that some time in the summer of 1780, seven Indians (of which 
number, was the Schoharie Indian, William,) went into the vici- 
nity of Catskill to capture prisoners. That they visited a small 
settlement where the whites were from home, and soon succeeded 
in capturing seven lusty negroes. The latter generally went so 
wilhngly into captivity that they were seldom bound in the day- 
time. After traveling some distance, the party halted upon the 
bank of a spring to rest : when the Indians, leaving their guns 
behind them, descended to drink. The favorable moment was 
seized by the prisoners to liberate themselves, and snatching up 
the guns, they fired upon their captors, four of whom were killed : 
the other three fled, and William was the only one who recovered 
his trusty rifle. The negroes, with the six guns, returned home 
in due time, without further molestation. 

Capt. Richtmyer, who resided near the Middle fort, was told 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 373 

by Joseph Ecker, (a tory who returned to Schoharie after the 
war,) that on a certain day, four tories, a Shafer, a Winne, a Mil- 
ler, and another person he would not name, (supposed by Captain 
R. to have been Ecker himself,) were secreted all day near his 
meadow, not far from the present site of the county poor house, 
in the hope of making him their prisoner. The grass was cut, 
and they expected the captain would be there to cure it, but for- 
tunately Col. Zielie ordered him to superintend the making of 
cartridges at the fort, and next day several soldiers were sent 
from the fort to guard the workmen. Thus was the design of the 
enemy frustrated. Four places of concealment were made and 
occupied by the tories near the field, by setting up green twigs, 
which were afterwards noticed by the citizens. — George, a son of 
Capf. Richtmyer. 

On the second and third days of August, 1780, the settlements 
in and around Canajoharie were laid waste by a body of Indians 
under Brant. Sixteen of the inhabitants were killed, between 
fifty and sixty made prisoners ; over one hundred buildings burnt, 
and a large amount of property destroyed. This happened at a 
time when the Tryon county militia were mostly drawn off to Fort 
Schuyler. See letter of Col. Clyde to Gov. George CUnton, da- 
ted, " Canajoharie, August 6th, 1780 ;" first published in the An- 
nals of Tryon County. 

At this time a party of the enemy appeared in the vicinity of 
Fort Dayton. Two Indians had the temerity to approach a barn, 
in which two men were threshing, on whom they fired. The flail- 
stick in the hands of one was nearly severed by a bullet, but the 
young farmers escaped to the fort. It was well garrisoned, and 
a party of Americans being then mounted, pursued and killed 
both the Indians. The enemy succeeded, however, in capturing 
the wife of Jacob Shoemaker, and her son, a lad some ten years 
old, who were in a field picking green peas. On their arrival in 
Canada, Sir John Johnson, paid seven dollars to ransom the 
mother, who, leaving her son in captivity, arrived at Albany some 
time after, from whence she was carried to Schenectada in a 
wagon, by Isaac Covenhoven, and from thence she accompanied 



374 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

one Walradt, a former neighbor to Herkimer. — Isaac Covenhoven, 
who was at Fort Dayton during the invasion. 

It is probable the Schoharie settlers had been notified of the 
misfortunes of their friends in the Mohawk Valley, and were anx- 
ious to guard against surprise. The Schoharie forts were feebly 
garrisoned at the time, but small parties of soldiers were constantly 
engaged during the day, to guard the more exposed inhabitants 
while harvesting an unusual growth of wheat. 

Early on the morning of the 9th of the same month, a scout, 
consisting of Coonradt Winne, Leek, and Hoever, was sent by 
Capt. Hager, from the Upper fort to reconnoitre in the western 
part of the present town of Fulton. The scout was instructed to 
return immediately to the fort without firing, if they saw any of 
the enemy, and were not themselves discovered. In that part of 
Fulton, now called Byrnville, or Sap Bush Hollow, some five or 
six miles distant from the Upper fort ; the scout seated themselves 
upon a fallen tree, near the present residence of Edwin M. Dexter, 
to eat their breakfast j and while eating, a white man, painted as 
an Indian, made his appearance within some fifty yards of them. 
Stooping down as nature prompted, he became so good a mark, 
that Leek, who was a dead shot, not seeing any one else, could 
not resist the temptation to fire, and levelling his rifle, the tory was 
instantly weltering in his gore. As surgical instruments were af- 
terwards found upon his person, he was supposed to have been a 
surgeon, in the employ of Brant. A small stream of water near, 
which took its name fi-om the killing of this man, whose carcase 
rotted by it, has been called Dead Man's creek, ever since. 

Leek had not had time to reload his piece, before the enemy 
appeared in sight. The scout fled, hotly pursued by a party of In- 
dians, who passed their dying comrade without halting. Hoever 
had to drop his knapsack, containing some valuable articles, to 
outrun his pursuers, which he afterwards recovered, the enemy 
supposing it contained nothing more than a soldier's luncheon. 
They were so closely followed that they were separated, Leek fly- 
ing towards the fort, while Hoever and Winne were driven into 
the woods, in an opposite direction. The two latter afterwards 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 375 

saw, from a place of concealment near the Schoharie, in the pre- 
sent town of Blenheim, their foes pass up the river with their pri- 
soners and plunder. Leek reached the fort in safety, after a race 
of nine or ten miles, but not enough in advance of his pursuers, to 
have a seasonable alarm given to warn the citizens of impending 
danger. The single discharge of a cannon was the usual signal ; 
if the discharge was repeated, it was considered hazardous to ap- 
proach the fort, while a third successive discharge served to as- 
sure the citizen that he could not possibly reach the fort, without 
encountering the enemy. 

The invaders, consisting of seventy-three Indians, almost naked, 
and ^yc tories — Benjamin Beacraft, Frederick Sager, Walter Al- 
let, one Thompson, and a mulatto, commanded by Capt. Brant, 
approached Vrooman's Land in the vicinity of the Upper fort, 
about ten o'clock in the morning. They entered the valley on 
the west side of the river, above the Onistagrawa in three places; 
one party coming down from the mountain near the present resi- 
dence of Charles Watson : another near that of Jacob Haines, 
then the residence of Capt. Tunis Vrooman ; and the third near the 
dwelling of Harmanus Vrooman, at that time the residence of Col. 
Peter Vrooman, who chanced to be with his family, in the Mid- 
dle fort. 

Capt. Hager, h^d gone on the morning of that day, to his farm, 
attended by a small guard, to draw in some hay nearly seven 
miles distant from the Upper fort, the command of which then de- 
volved on Tunis Vrooman, captain of the associate exempts. Al- 
though the citizens of Schoharie had huts at the several forts 
where they usually lodged nights, and where their clothing and 
most valuable effects were kept during the summer, the female 
part of many families were in the daily habit of visiting their 
dwellings to do certain kinds of work, while their husbands were 
engaged in securing their crops. On the morning of the day in 
question, Capt. Vrooman also returned home to secure wheat, ac- 
companied by his family, his wife to do her week's washing. 
The command of the garrison next belonged to Ephraim Vroo- 
man, a lieutenant under Capt. Hager, but as he went to his farm 

25 



376 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

soon after Capt. Vrooman left, it finally devolved on Lieut. Wil- 
liam Harper, who had not a dozen men with him in the fort. The 
wife of Lieut. Vrooman also returned home to do her washing.* 

Capt. Vrooman, who had drawn one load of wheat to a bar- 
rack before breakfast, arose on that morning with a presentiment 
that some disastrous event was about to happen, which he could 
not drive from his mind ; and he expressed his forebodings at the 
breakfast-table. Four rifle-men called at his house in the morn- 
ing and took breakfast with him, but returned to the fort soon af- 
ter, to attend the roll-call. Capt. Vrooman's family consisted of 
himself, wife, four sons, John, Barney, Tunis and Peter, and two 
slaves, a male and female. After breakfast, Capt. Vrooman and 
liis sons drew another load of wheat to the barrack : and while it 
was unloading, he stopped repeatedly to look out towards the sur- 
rounding hills. The grain had not all been pitched from the wag- 
on, before his worst fears were realized, and he beheld descend- 
ing upon the flats near, a party of hostile savages. He descend- 
ed from the barrack, not far from which he was tomahawked, 
scalped, and had his throat cut by a Schoharie Indian named John : 
who stood upon his shoulders while tearing off his scalp. 

Many of the old Dutch dwellings in Schoharie (the outside 
doors of which were usually made in two parts, so that the lower 
half of the passage could be closed while the upper remained 
open,) had a kitchen detached from them : and such was that of 
Capt. Vrooman. His wife was washing in a narrow passage be- 
tween the buildings, where she was surprised and stricken down. 
After the first blow from a tomahawk, she remained standing, but 
a second blow laid her dead at the feet of an Indian, who also 
scalped her. The house was then plundered and set on fire, as 
was the barn, barracks of grain, hay, &c.; and the three oldest 
boys, with the blacks, made captives. Peter, who fled on the 
first alarm and concealed himself in some bushes, would probably 
have escaped the notice of the enemy, had not one of the blacks 

• Mrs. Vrooman said to her frienJs as she left the fort, "This is the last 
morning I inteni to go to my house to work." Her worJs were truly pro- 
phetic. — Andrew Loucks. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 377 

made known his place of concealment : he was then captured 
and taken along a short distance, but crying to return, he ran to 
a fence, to which he was pursued by the tory Beacraft, who caught 
him, and placing his legs between his own, bent him back and 
cut his throat ; after which, he scalped and hung him across the 
fence.* Vrooman's horses were unharnessed and given to the 
boys to hold, as were several more, while the Indians were plun- 
dering, killing cattle and other animals, and burning buildings. 
While the Indians were shooting hogs in the pen, a ball went 
through it and lodged in the calf of John's leg ; which instantly 
brought him to the ground : the horses then ran towards the river, 
and two of them were not recaptured. 

The party which entered the valley at the dwelling of Colonel 
Vrooman, were led by Brant in person, who hoped to surprise a 
rebel colonel ; but the services of that brave man were to be 
spared to his country. His family were also at the Middle fort.f 
From the dwelling of Col. Vrooman, which was a good brick 
tenement, and to which was applied the torch of destruction, 
Seth's Ffenry (with whom the reader has some acquaintance,) led 
several of the enemy to the dwelling of Lieut. Vrooman; which 
stood where Peter Kneiskern now lives. His family consisted of 
himself, wife Christina, sons Bartholomew and Josias E., and 

* Of the murder of this Vrooman boy, Beacraft took occasion repeatedly 
to boast, in the presence of the prisoners, while on his way to Canada j as 
also he did on several subsequent occasions : and yet he had the impudence 
to return, after the war closed, to Schoharie. His visit becoming known, a 
parly of about a dozen whigs one evening surrounded the house he was in, 
near where the bridge in Blenhein now stands, and leading him from it into 
a grove near, they stripped and bound him to a sapling ; and then inflicted 
fifty lashes, with hickory gads, upon his bare back, telling him, at intervals 
of every ten, for what particular offence they were given. He was then un- 
bound, and given his life on condition that he would instantly leave that val- 
ley, and never more pollute its soil with his presence. He expressed his 
gratitude that his life was spared, left the settlement and was never afterwards 
heard from by the citizens of Schoharie. — Captivity of Patchin, corroborated. 

t From V hat has appeared in several publications, a belief has gone 
abroad that Col. Vrooman was a cowardly, weak man. The impression is 
very erroneous, he was far otherwise, as the author has had indubitable a7.d 
repeated evidence. 



378 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

daughters Janett (four years old,) and Christina, (an infant,) two 
Germans, Creshiboom and Hoffman, (captured at Burgoyne's sur- 
render,) and several slaves : the latter, however, were at work 
near the river and escaped. On hearing the alarm, Vrooman ran 
to his house, caught up his infant child and fled into the corn-field, 
between his dwelling and the Onistagrawa, followed by his wife 
leading her little daughter ; said to have had long and beautiful 
hair for a child. He seated himself against the trunk of a large 
apple tree, and his wife was concealed a few rods from him in 
the thrifty corn. The road is now laid between the orchard and 
mountain, but at the period of which I speak, it passed over the 
flats east of the dwelling. His family would, no doubt, have re- 
mained undiscovered, had Mrs. Vrooman continued silent ; but 
not knowing where her husband was, and becoming alarmed, she 
rose up and called to him in Low Dutch — " Ephraim, Ephraim, 
where are you : have you got the child ?" The words were 
scarcely uttered, when a bullet from the rifle of Seth's Henry 
pierced her body. When struggling upon the ground, he ad- 
dressed her in the Dutch tongue, as follows : " Now say — what 
these Indian dogs do here ?"* He then tomahawked and scalped 
her. 

While Seth's Henry was killing and scalping Mrs. Vrooman, 
the tory Beacraft killed her little daughter with a stone, and drew 
ofl"her scalp : in the mean time a powerful Indian directed by her 
call to her husband's place of concealment, approached him and 
thrust a spear at his body, which he parried, and the infant in his 
arms smiled. Another pass was made, was parried, and the child 
again smiled. At the third blow of the spear, which was also 
warded off*, the little innocent, then only five months old, laughed 
aloud at the supposed sport ; which awakened the sympathy of 

•This Indian had held a grudge against Mrs. Vrooman for many years. 
She was a Swart before marriage ; at which time, and just after the ceremo- 
ny was performed, she entered the kitchen of her father's dwelling, and see- 
ing se\ eral young Indians there, she imprudently aslfed a by slander, in 
JJutch, what do these I'ldian dogs do here ? He remembered the expression, 
und his resentment led him directly to her residence, to revenge the insult. — 
Mtt, Van Slyck. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



379 



the savage, and he made Vrooman a prisoner. His sons and the 
Germans named, were also captured. 







i<rt,^i -, ^=^=- 






f\^^SA 









THE ONISTAGRAWA AND SCENE BENEATH IT. 
Upon the top of this mountain (called by some Vrooman's Nose) which af- 
forded a fine prospect of the valley, the enemy were often secreted to watch 
for exposed citizens. 

John Vrooman, who dwelt where Bartholomew Vrooman now 
lives, was captured, as were his wife and children. His house 
was set on fire but put out. Adam A. Vrooman, who lived where 
Josias Vrooman now does, fled to the upper fort, three-fourths of 
a mile distant, after being twice fired upon by the enemy. He 
had a pistol, and when the Indians gained upon him he presented 
it and they would fall back, but renewed the chase when he set 
forward. He was pursued until protected by the fort. On his 
arrival he was asked how he had escaped : his answer was, " / 
pulled foot.'' From that day to his death he was called Pull 
Foot Vrooman. His wife was made a prisoner. 



380 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Simon Vrooman, who resided where Adam P. Vrooman now 
does, was taken prisoner, as were his wife and son Jacob, a boy 
three years old. John Daly, aged over sixty, Thomas Meriness, 
and James Turner, young men. Abbey Eliza Stowits, a girl of 
seventeen summers, the wife of Philip Hoever, the widow of Cor- 
nelius Vrooman, and several slaves not mentioned, were also cap- 
tured in Vrooman's Land, making the number of prisoners, in all, 
about thirty. The jive persons mentioned, were all that were 
killed at this time. Brant might easily have taken the Upper fort, 
had he known how feebly it was garrisoned. 

Abraham Vrooman, who happened to be in Vrooman's Land 
with his wagon, on which was a hay-rack, when the alarm was 
given, drove down through the valley and picked up several of 
the citizens. On arriving at the residence of Judge Swart, who 
lived in the lower end of the settlement, he reined up and called 
to Swart's wife, then at an oven a little distance from the house — 
" Cornelia, jump into my wagon, the Indians are vjjon us .'" She 
ran into the house, snatched up her infant child* from the cradle, 
returned, and with her husband bounded into the wagon, which 
started forward just before the enemy, tomahawk in hand, reached 
their dwelling. Vrooman had a powerful team, and did not stop 
to open the gates which then obstructed the highway, but drove 
directly against them, forcing them open. Passing under an ap- 
ple tree, the rack on his wagon struck a limb, which sent it back 
against his head, causing the blood to flow freely. He drove to 
the Middle fort, which was also feebly garrisoned. 

The destructives burnt at this place niiie dwellhigs and the fur- 
niture they contained, with their barns and barracks, which were 
mostly filled with an abundant harvest. JSrinetij good horses were 
also driven, with their owners, into captivity. Large slices of meat 
were cut from the carcases of the cattle and hogs, strewed along 
the valley, and hung across the backs of some of the horses, to 
serve as provisions for the party on their way to Canada. Among 

• The child thus seasonably rescued, is now the wife of David Swart, of 
Shelby, Orleans county, IN'ew York. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 381 

the plunder was a noble stud-horse, belonging to Judge Swart, 
and as the Indians were afraid of him, he was given young Tunis 
Vrooman to ride, who rode him all the way to Canada. His 
having the care of this horse caused the enemy to treat him 
kindly : and he was not compelled to run the gantlet. 

Before Seth's Henry left the settlement, he placed his war club, 
which he believed was known to some of the citizens, in a con- 
spicuous place and purposely left it. Notched upon it were the 
evidences, as traced by the Indians on similar weapons, of thirty- 
Jive scalps and forty prisoners. No very pleasing record, as we 
may suppose, for the people of Schoharie, who knew that several 
of their own valuable citizens helped to swell the startling, though 
no doubt authentic record of the deeds of this crafty warrior. 

On the arrival of Leek at the upper fort, after being so hotly 
pursued, John Hager, then at work on his father's place, hearing 
the alarm gun of the fort, mounted a horre, and rode up and in- 
formed Capt. Hager that the buildings were on fire in the valley 
below. The hay on his wagon, which was unloading in the barn, 
was quickly thrown off, and the few inhabitants of that vicinity 
were taken into it, driven into the woods, and concealed near Key- 
ser's kill. Henry Hager started with the wagon, when a favorite 
dog, that began to bark, was caught by him, and fearing it would 
betray the fugitives, he cut its throat with his pocket knife. Af- 
ter proceeding some distance from his house, having forgotten some 
article he intended to have taken with him, he returned and found 
it already occupied by the enemy, who made him their prisoner. 
He was nearly eighty years old ; and as he was known to the 
enemy to be a firm whig — his sons (one a captain) and several of 
his grandsons all being in the rebel army — he was treated with 
marked severity. 

The enemy, on leaving Vrooman's Land, proceeded with their 
booty and prisoners directly up the river. A grist-mill, owned by 
Adam Crysler, a tory captain, and standing on the Lower Brak- 
abeen creek, as called in old conveyances, which runs into the 
Schoharie near the residence of Benjamin Best, was sacked of the 
little flour it chanced to contain, and then set on fire — the tories, 



382 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

with the enemy, declaring that the whigs of Vrooman's Land should 
not be longer benefited by said mill. Several fragments of the 
mill-stone used in this mill, which was an Esopus conglomerate, 
have been recovered from the creek since 1841, and deposited in 
the cabinets of geologisls. The Indians, on their arrival in that 
part of Brakabeen, burned all of Captain Hager's buildings, and 
Henry Hager's barn. Henry Mattice and Adam Brown, tories, 
accompanied the enemy from Brakabeen of their own accord. 

I have said that the families of Capt. Hager and^his father were 
concealed at Keyser's kill. The waggon which carried them from 
their homes was left in one place, the horses in another, and the 
women and children were sheltered beneath a rock in a ravine of 
the mountain stream before named. After the women and chil- 
dren were disposed of, Capt. Hager, taking with him his brother, 
Lawrence Bouck, Jacob Thomas, and several others who composed 
the guard mentioned, proceeded from Keyser's kill with due cau- 
tion, to ascertain if the Upper fort had been captured. It was 
nearly noon when Brant left the vicinity of that fort, and nearly 
night when its commandant and his men reached it. On the fol- 
lowing day the party concealed near Keyser's kill, were conveyed 
to the fort. 

The 10th day of August, 1780, was one of sadness and mourn- 
ing for the citizens of Vrooman's Land, some of whom had lost 
near relatives among the slain, and all, among the captives, either 
relatives or valued friends ; -while the destruction of property to 
individuals was a loss, especially at that season of the year, when 
too late to grow sustenance for their families, to be most keenly 
felt and deplored. The burial of the dead took place the day af- 
ter their massacre, on the farm of John Feeck, near the fort. The 
bodies ol Capt. Vrooraan, his wife and son, were deposited in one 
grave, and that of Mrs. Ephraim Vrooman and her daughter, in 
another. The remains of the former body presented a most hor- 
rid appearance. Left by her murderers between the burning build- 
ings, her flesh was partly consumed, exposing her entrails. 

When the dead body of Mrs. Ephraim Vrooman was first dis- 
covered in the corn-field, it was evident that she had partially re- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 383 

covered, and had vainly endeavored to staunch the flowing blood 
from the wound in her breast, first with her cap or some portion 
of her dress, and afterwards with earth, having dug quite a hole 
in the ground. This woman, as one of her sons assured the wri- 
ter, had had a presentiment for nearly three years that she was to 
be shot. She fancied she felt a cold substance like lead passing 
through her body, from the back to the breast, and often the same 
sensation returned. She frequently expressed her fears in the fa- 
mily that she was to be shot, and singular as the coincidence may 
appear, when she was shot, the ball passed through her body 
where she had so long imagined it would. Nearly three years 
before her death, in the month of November, several of their ap- 
ple trees were observed to be in blossom, which freak of nature 
the sitperstitious also considered an unfavorable omen. After her 
death those circumstances were often discussed by her relatives. 

The destroyers of Vrooman's Land proceeded on the afternoon 
of the same day about fifteen miles, and encamped for the night. 
The scalps of the slain were stretched upon hoops, and dried in 
the presence of the relative prisoners, the oldest of whom were 
all bound nights. As the party were proceeding along the east 
shore of the Schoharie, in the afternoon of the first day, after 
journeying some six miles, Brant permitted the wife of John Vroo- 
raan, with her own infant, and that taken with Ephraim Vroo- 
man, to return back to the settlement. The reader may desire to 
know the fate of this child, whose infant smiles had saved its 
father's life. Its mother being already dead, it was necessarily 
weaned, but at too tender an age, and three months after, it sick- 
ened and died. On the morning after the massacre, the line of 
march was again resumed, and when about half way from the 
Patchin place to Harpersfield, Brant yielded to the repeated im- 
portunities of several of his female captives, and perhaps the sea- 
sonable interference of several tory friends living near, and per- 
mitted all of them, (except Mrs. Simon Vrooman,) with several 
male children — nearly one half the whole number of prisoners — 
to return to Schoharie. Brant led the liberated captives aside 
nearly half a mile to a place of concealment, where he required 



884 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

them to remain until night. The female prisoners, when captured, 
were plundered of their bonnets, neckerchiefs, beads, ear-rings, 
etc., which articles, of course, they did not recover. Word hav- 
ing been been sent to Schoharie that those prisoners had been li- 
berated, Maj. Thomas Ecker, Lieut. Harper, and Schoharie John, 
a friendly Indian, who lived at Middleburgh during the war, met 
them not far from where Mrs. Vrooman had been left the preced- 
ing afternoon, with several horses ; and placing three persons on 
a horse, they conveyed them to the Upper fort, where they arrived 
just at dusk. 

On the evening of the second day, the journeying party reach- 
ed the Susquehanna. The prisoners were obliged to travel on 
foot, with the exception of Mrs. Vrooman, and the lad, Tunis 
Vrooman. The provisions on the journey were fresh meat after 
the first day, as they obtained but little flour, which was boiled 
into a pudding the first night. The meat taken from Schoharie 
was soon fly-blown, but when roasted in the coals it was feasted 
upon by the hungry prisoners. They progressed slowly, because 
they were obliged to hunt deer, and catch fish for food on their 
way, generally having enough to eat, such as it was. Fish they 
usually roasted whole in the coals, ate the flesh, and then threw 
the off"al away. The parties that had been led by Brant and Qua- 
kock, a chief second in command, into Tryon county and the 
Schoharie settlements, assembled at Oquago, when several hun- 
dred of the enemy, with their prisoners, came together. 

The prisoners again separated at Oquago, and proceeded by 
different routes to Canada. Josias E. Vrooman, who was among 
the prisoners, claimed by Seneca warriors, went with a party up 
the Chemung. In the Genesee valley he saw a stake planted in 
the ground, some five or six feet high, which was painted red and 
sharpened at the top, on which was resting a fleshless skull. The 
Indians told the prisoners it was the skull of Lieut. Boyd, who 
was killed in that vicinity the year before, and each of them was 
compelled to hold it. Whether the skull shown the Vrooraan's 
Land prisoners was that of Lieut. Boyd, or some other prisoner 
who had shared a similar fate, cannot now be known ; but as se- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 385 

veral teeth were found with Boyd's and Parker's bones, when re- 
moved, there can remain no doubt but that the head of Parker, 
which was identified by an old scar, was buried by his comrades. 
— C. Metcalf, Esq. 

While on their journey, Lieut. Vrooman was once led out be- 
tween two Indians — one armed with a tomahawk and the other a 
knife — to be murdered. Standing on a log which lay across a 
marsh or mire between the Indians, he addressed them in their 
own dialect, and finally made his peace with them for some tri- 
fling offence, and his life was spared. The old patriot Hager was 
cruelly treated all the way, and was several times struck upon the 
head with the flat side of a tomahawk. 

I have said that John, a son of Capt. Vrooman, was wounded 
by the enemy while holding his father's horses. He was com- 
pelled to travel on foot, and as no attention had been paid to the 
wound, it was soon filled with maggots, becoming exceedingly 
painful. The Indians began to talk of killing him, if he failed 
to keep up with them. His namesake, who was his uncle, then 
assumed the care of him, and dressed his wound with tobacco 
leaves ; when it gained a healthy appearance, and he was greatly 
relieved. "While going through the Tonawanda swamp, the ball 
worked out and the wound soon after healed. 

On arriving in the Genesee valley, Mrs. Vrooman, then quite 
ill, was left there. Adam Vrooman, a brother of her's, from be- 
low the Helleberg, on hearing of her captivity, paid her ransom. 
Some of the prisoners were twenty-two days on their journey. 
On arriving at the Indian settlements, they were compelled to run 
the gantlet ; when some of them were seriously injured. A girl 
twelve or fourteen years old, who was among the prisoners made 
in the Mohawk valley, was nearly killed ; and Simon Vrooman 
and John Daly were so badly hurt, that they both died soon after 
arriving at their journey's end. Vrooman's widow afterwards 
married a man named Markell, in Canada, and remained there. 
Meriness was taken to Quebec, and while there, attempted, with 
several other prisoners to blow up the magazine. The design 
was discovered, and the conspirators were nearly whipped to 



386 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

death — two of them did die ; but Meriness finally recovered. Ne- 
gro captives were seldom bound while on their way to Canada, 
nor were they compelled to run the gantlet. They hardly ever 
returned to the States to remain, generally adopting the Indian's 
life. A negro belonging to Isaac Vrooman, usually called Tom 
Vrooman, who was taken to Canada at this time, became a wait- 
er to Sir John Johnson, and in that capacity, passed through the 
Schoharie and Mohawk valleys in the following October. He 
was, however, captured by Joseph Naylor, an American soldier, 
near Fort Plain, and with him an elegant horse belonging to his 
new master, with saddle, holsters and valise. 

The greater part of the Schoharie prisoners were taken to Ni- 
agara, where they remained until November : when they proceed- 
ed in a vessel down Lake Ontario. A new ship, called the Sene- 
ca, left Niagara at the same time with the commandant of that 
garrison, and three hundred and sixty soldiers on board. Not 
long after they sailed, a terrible storm arose, and in the following 
night, the Seneca foundered and all on board were lost. The ves- 
sel contained a large quantity of provisions destined for Montreal, 
which were also lost. The prisoners were conveyed down the 
St. Lawrence in bateaus ; and some of them suffered much for 
the want of suitable clothing, being barefooted, although the 
ground was covered with snow where they encamped on shore 
over night. They arrived at Montreal about the first of Decem- 
ber ; from which place, after a few weeks stay, they were re- 
moved nine miles farther, to an old French post, called South Ra- 
kela, where they were confined until the summer following, and 
then exchanged for other prisoners. While confined at the latter 
place, their provisions consisted, for the most part, of salt-beef — 
not always of the best kind — and oat-meal ; the latter being 
boiled into puddings and eaten with molasses. When an ex- 
change was eflfected, most of the Schoharie prisoners, w^ith others, 
were sent on board a vessel to the head of Lake Champlain, 
where they were landed, and from which place they returned 
home on foot, via. Saratoga. They arrived at Schoharie on the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 387 

30th day of August, after an absence of little more than a year. 
Mr. Hager was gone about eighteen months.* 

•The particulars relating to the destruction of Vrcoman's Land, and the 
captivity of the citizens, so minutely detailed, Avcre obtained from Tunis, a 
son of Capt. Tunis Vrooman ; Josias E. and Bartholomew E., sons of Lieut. 
Ephraim Vrooman ; Maria, daughter of John Vrooman, and afterwards the 
wife of Frederick Mattice, who were captives at the time ; the manuscript of 
Henry Hager ; Mrs. Susannah Van Slyck, daughter of Samuel Vrooman ; An- 
gelica, daughter of Col. Peter Vrooman, afterwards the vjifi of Major Peter 
Vrooman ; Lawrence Bouck and Lawrence Matlice. 



( 388 ) 



CHAPTER XIII. 



An affair of love : for Cupid was unchained even in perilous 
times. Timothy Murphy, who so providentially escaped from the 
enemy in Sullivan's campaign, returned to Schoharie in the sum- 
mer of 1780. While on duty there in the fall and winter of 1778 
and spring of 1779, Murphy became acquainted with — yes, ena- 
mored with — Miss Margaret, daughter of John Feeck, whose house 
was inclosed at the Upper fort. She was an only child, and at that 
period was cons'dered, in prospective wealth, the richest girl in 
the Schoharie settlements. 

Perhaps the reader would be gratified with a brief outline of 
the personal appearance of a young lady, whose artless smiles 
could, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, win the afljections of a rough 
soldier, and cause him, at the earliest opportunity, to transfer the 
services he considered due his country, to the fertile valley in 
which she dwelt. The writer has conversed with not a few who 
were well acquainted with her, several of whom were numbered 
among her most intimate female friends, all of whom ascribe to 
her the character of a virtuous and amiable girl. 

At the period of which I am writing, she had just passed "sweet 
seventeen," and was entering her eighteenth year; a period in the 
life of woman peculiarly calculated to convey and receive tender 
impressions. She was rather tall, and slim i possessing a genteel 
form, with a full bust ; and features, if not handsome, at least 
pretty and very insinuating. Her hair was a rich auburn ; her 
eyes a dark hazel, peering from beneath beautiful eye-lashes; her 
eeth clean and well set ; her nose — but alas ! that was large, and 
altogether tco prominent a nasal organ to grace the visage of a 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 889 

perfect beauty. Her ruby lips and peach-colored cheeks, how- 
ever, contrasted charmingly with her clear white skin, besides, 
nature had given her, what all men like to see, a neatly turned 
ankle. Miss Feeck's literary acquirements, we must conclude, 
were limited. She had not been sent to a fashionable boarding 
school, and instructed in the genteel and desirable arts, to the en- 
tire exclusion, indeed abhorrence, of a practical knowledge of 
domestic household duties, as is too often the case at the present 
day. She, however, possessed a good share of common sense, 
was not too vain to be instructed, and practically understood house- 
keeping. Uniting, as she did, a very amiable disposition w^ith her 
other good qualities, it is not surprising that she won the soldier's 
affections, and proved to him an agreeable and happy companion. 

Murphy, who was twelve years the senior of Miss Feeck, was 
a stout, well made man, with rather a large body and smalLlimbs, 
was not quite as tall as his lady-love, but was handsomely fea- 
tured, having jet black hair, black eyes, and a skin shaded in the 
same dye. He possessed great muscular power, was fleet on foot, 
and wary in the covert as an Indian. He indulged too much in 
profane levity^ — was passionate, and often rough-tongued ; but 
was warm-hearted and ardent in his attachment, and proved him- 
self a kind and indulgent husband, an obliging neighbor and wor- 
thy citizen. He returned to Schoharie soon after the enemy de- 
solated Vrooman's Land. 

He had been back but a short time before it became apparent 
that what had, at an earlier day, seemed only a partiality on his 
part, and a juvenile perference on hers — won, perhaps, by his 
" deeds of noble daring" — was ripening into ardent, reciprocal 
love. But when did love's torrent ever flow smoothly on ? As 
soon as their mutual preference became known to the parents of 
Miss Feeck, every effort was made by them to prevent the young 
lovers from meeting ; and when they did chance to steal an inter- 
view, which sometimes happened when duty called him from the 
Middle to the Upper fort, it was, of necessity, brief and unsatisfac- 
tory. Every effort was made by the parents to prevent those in- 
terviewSj and Margaret was prohibited from leaving her father's 



390 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

house, alone, on any account. Indeed, she was not allowed to go 
out of the picketed inclosure to milk, unless a vip;llant cousin, or 
some member of the family attended her — while Murphy was for- 
bidden to enter the house under any pretext. The couple were 
plighted, but a serious obstacle interposd between them and Hy- 
men's altar. The law then required the publishing of the banns 
for several Sabbaths in a religious meeting. Those marriage pro- 
posals were usually read by a clergyman, but as the Schoharie 
flocks were left to the mercy of the wolves, that of Murphy and 
his affianced was publicly read for several successive Sabbaths by 
John Van Dyck, (a good old deacon, living in the vicinity,) at a 
conference meeting held at the Middle fort, a certificate of which 
ceremony was placed in the hands of the groom. 

Cupid is seldom wanting in stratagems, and agents to execute 
them. Although it had been contemplated by the parents to con- 
fine Margaret in a small room of the house, and she was so close- 
ly observed, still Murphy found repeated opportunities to nullify 
the paternal edict of non-intercourse, and communicate with his 
betrothed — not by letter, for he could not write — but through the 
agency of a trusty female named Maria Teabout, who was, as I 
have elsewhere stated, part native. Maria was the bearer of five 
or six verbal messages between the couple. As she was about to 
start on one of those errands, expressing some fear about her own 
safety, Murphy, whose character she almost venerated for the act, 
placed his hand upon her head, and repeating a few words — no 
doubt a lingo of his own, as he was at no loss for words — told 
her that no harm would ever befal her if she proved faithful to 
him. She assigned as a reason why she escaped injury or capti- 
vity in the war, the protection invoked at that time. As every 
thing was in a state of preparation for consummating their hap- 
piness, on a certain day about the 1st of October, 1780, Maria 
was sent with the final message from Murphy to his sweetheart — 
which was, in substance, Come, for all things are now ready. A 
report had some time before reached the ears of Margaret's pa- 
rents, that she had engaged to marry Murphy ; which report, in 
answer to their interrogatories, she denied, hoping by ivhite lies 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 391 

to lull their suspicions. Still their vigilance was not relaxed, and 
it was with no little difficulty Maria found an opportunity at this 
time to inform Margaret, that her lover had the necessary certifi- 
cate of publication, and would meet her that evening near the ri- 
ver, with a horse, and convey her to the Middle fort. The answer 
to Murphy's last message was brief and artless ; " Tell /wm,"said 
Margaret, "/ will meet him near the river, at the time appointed." 
The day designated for a meeting with her lover, was one of 
no little anxiety to Margaret. The thought of leaving the home 
of her childhood against the wishes of her parents — possibly for- 
ever, and uniting her future destiny with that of a poor, though 
brave soldier, whose life was surrounded with constant danger, to 
say nothing of future prospects, was one of serious moment, as 
may be imagined, to a reflecting mind. But love will brave every 
danger, and encounter every hardship. In the course of the day 
she had matured her plan for eluding the vigilance of her parents, 
who little suspected her intended elopement ; and with impatience 
she awaited the setting sun. Margaret dared not change an article 
of apparel, as that would excite suspicion, and in any thing but a 
bridal dress, she went at the evening hour for milking, to per- 
form that duty, accompanied as usual by a neighboring female 
cousin on the same errand. The task accomplished, the girls se- 
parated, her cousin to go to her own home at a little distance from 
the fort, and our heroine to the presence of her mother. On ar- 
riving with her pail of milk, some of which had been emptied 
upon the ground, she told her mother that one of the cows, it not 
being with the rest, had not been milked. — " Then," said her 
mother, " you must go after it, that cow must be milked." This 
was placing matters precisely as she desired, and taking another 
pail she left the house with a light heart — barefooted, the better 
to disguise her real object. Hanging her pail upon a stake at 
the cow-yard, she stole away unobserved in the direction of the 
river, and was soon concealed from observation by the darkness 
then fast obscuring the Onistagrawa. Murphy, " as the evening 
shades prevailed," accompaned by three of his trusty comrades 
well armed, left the Middle fort, crossed the river and proceeded 

26 



392 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

along its western bank to meet his intended. Having gone full 
two -thirds of the way to the Upper fort, and above where she was 
to await his arrival, without meeting her, he began to apprehend 
his plan had proven abortive, and that her parents — aware of her 
intention — had taken proper ineans to prevent her leaving home. 
Satisfied in his mind that such was the case, he began to retrace 
his steps, — gently calling her name as he with his friends pro- 
ceeded homeward. On arriving just below the present site of the 
Middleburgh bridge, great was his surprise to hear her sweet 
voice respond to his call from the opposite shore of the river. 
Fearing she might be followed, our heroine had not stopped where 
her lover had agreed to seek her, but went forward. Not meet- 
ing him, she supposed some military duty had called him away, 
and believing her intention to leave home had already been dis- 
covered, by finding the cow in the yard and the pail near, she re- 
solved to proceed alone to the Middle fort, and had actusMy forded 
the Schoharie, the water at the time being quite cold, before the 
voice of Murphy greeted her ear. On his crossing the river, she 
mounted the horse behind him, and they rode to the fort where 
they were heartily welcomed by its inmates, about eight o'clock 
in the evening. 

Some little time elapsed before the absence of Margaret was 
known at the paternal dwelling, which favored her flight ; but 
when the discovery was made, it aroused the most lively appre- 
hension of the parents, for her safety. Scouts were daily return- 
ing to the fort, with reports of either seeing parties of the enemy, 
or evidence of their recent proximity to the settlement ; and the 
first supposition was, that one of those straggling parties had sur- 
prised and carried her into captivity. But on finding the empty 
milk-pail, and learning from Margaret's cousin that the cows had 
all been milked while she was present, and that Maria had been 
up that morning from the fort below — the elopement of the daugh- 
ter was rendered evident. Margaret's father, accompanied by 
Joachim Follock, a soldier in the Upper fort, proceeded without 
delay to the Middle fort, the former often calling in Low Dutch 
to his Mar-chra-che, to which call the Onistagrawa feebly echoed, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 393 

" Scrafck-yoic.^' On approaching the fort late in the evening, 
they were challenged by a sentinel, and not being able to give 
the countersign, came near being fired upon. Mr. Feeck could 
not, by the most earnest entreaties, prevail upon his daughter to 
return home with him that night — still, to know that she was safe 
and unharmed, he felt amply compensated, after so great an ex- 
citement, for his journey to the fort, and the danger of having a 
bullet sent through his head. He returned home, as we must sup- 
pose, little suspecting what the second ad was to be in the comedy, 
of which he was not even to be a spectator, much less an actor. 

As Margaret had left home in a sad plight to visit Hymen's 
altar, her young female friends at the fort lent her from their own 
wardrobes, for the occasion — one a gown, another a bonnet and 
neckerchief, a third hose, shoes, &c. ; until she was so clad as 
to make a very respectable appearance. Early in the day suc- 
ceeding the elopement — preliminaries having been arranged the 
evening before — Murphy and Miss Feeck, accompanied by Miss 
Margaret Crysler, William Bouck, an uncle of the latter, and 
Sergt. William Lloyd, a Virginian, set out in a wagon furnished 
by Garret Becker, for Schenectada. Although Murphy had the 
certificate of Mr. Van Dyck, a worthy old gentleman who was pretty 
well known abroad, that a notice of his intention " to commit ma- 
trimony" had been legally read, still it was feared the father 
might take effectual means in the cities of Albany and Schenec- 
tada to prevent the marriage of his daughter : and in anticipation of 
such an event, Maj. Woolsey, who then commanded the fort, gave 
Murphy a furlough to go to the head-quarters of the Commander- 
in-chief, if necessary, to have the marriage take place. 

The party went to Schenectada, where Murphy on his arrival 
purchased silk for a gown, and other articles necessary to com- 
plete the female attire of a bride, and the immediate requisition of 
several dress-makers of that ancient town hastily fitted them to 
the pretty form of our heroine ; soon after which she was united 
in wedlock to the heroic Murphy — who had discovered himself suc- 
cessful, thus far, not only in the art of war, but of love. The cou- 
ple were united, if I am rightly informed, by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, 



394 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

who preached in Princetown several years, and subsequently in 
Harpersfield. On the following day the party returned to Scho- 
harie, where the successful groom was loudly cheered by his com- 
patriots in arms. During the absence of the wedding party, the 
officers of the garrison, assisted by the young ladies in the vici- 
nity, made preparations for their reception in a becoming manner, 
at the house of Peter Becker, who then lived where Ralph Man- 
ning now resides — but a short distance from the Middle fort. A 
sumptuous feast was prepared for the numerous guests, which 
was followed in the evening by a ball, given in honor of the happy 
event. Nearly all the officers of the garrison were among the 
guests ; on which occasion the beauty and fashion then existing 
in that valley were brought together. After the delighted com- 
pany had partaken of a rich supper, the tables were removed and 
the guests began to dance. The young wife, from her modest 
and unsophisticated demeanor, as an old lady who was present 
assured the author, appeared to very good advantage in the eve- 
ning, and " was indeed a pretty bride.'^ She, however, had pre- 
viously been allowed to go into company but little, and her know- 
ledge of dancing was limited — consequently at this ball, given in 
honor of her nuptials, she was led while performing her part of 
the dance. 

Only two or three figures were danced, when a scout returned 
to the fort and reported, that they had fallen in with a party of 
Indians not far distant, whereupon the linstock was applied to the 
alarm gun, and its thunder went booming along the valley, echo- 
ing and re-echoing among the surrounding mountains — a most 
unwelcome sound at the moment, but its import too well under- 
stood to be disregarded; and the party all repaired to the fort to 
finish the festival. 

JYow for a reconciliation. When Margaret's parents learned 
that she was marned — that she was in truth the wife of Murphy — 
they were at first highly offended, and resolved never aga'n to ad- 
mit her into their house. But time, which has healed worse 
wounds than theirs — which were occasioned more by the poverty 
of their son-in-law than by his demerits — began to work its own 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 395 

cure of wounded pride. The mother, who felt the absence of an 
only child, who had been her constant companion, the most sensi- 
bly, was the first to yield to the dictates of nature ; and Maria, 
who had acted as a stair-case between the lovers, was now em- 
ployed by Mrs. Feeck, to obtain for her an interview with her 
daughter. Margaret, if she had not dimpled cheeks, or a hand 
of French, and a foot of Chinese dimensions, had an affectionate 
and feeling heart, and longed to see her mother. The meeting, 
according to appointment, was held in a field not far from her 
father's dwelling : but as she dared not approach her mother, 
much less enter the picketed inclosure which surrounded their 
dwelling — fearful that an effort would be made to detain her — 
they conversed on a grass plot for some time, at a little distance 
apart. The parent was anxious to effect a reconciliation with 
Margaret and have her come home, but she could not think of ad- 
mitting her Irish husband with her. " Never," said the daughter 
with spirit, " as much as I love home and my parents, will I en- 
ter your house until my husband, who is quite as good as I am, 
enters it with me !" As Margaret was about to return to the 
fort below, her mother requested her to remain until she could go 
to the house and get her something to eat. She soon returned 
with a pie, which — as the daughter retreated on her approach — 
she set down on the ground, then retired a little distance, and had 
the satisfaction to see her darling — her only child — advance, take 
it up, and eat of it. This act was witnessed by Mrs. Frederick 
Mattice. After eating part of the pie, she set out to go back, 
and the moistened eye of the mother followed, with womanly 
pride, the retreating footsteps of her daughter. 

The father had not been present at the interview mentioned, and 
his heart also yearned to embrace his daughter, although pride 
prevented its acknowledgment. Repeated messages were sent to 
Margaret, offering full pardon on her part for the past, urging her 
to visit the paternal dwelling : to all of which, her answers were 
similar to the one previously given her mother. After a little 
time, it was hinted that Murphy intended to take his wife to Penn- 
sylvania, which report caused the parents of Margaret much anx- 



396 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

iety. A new mediator, in the person of Cornelius Feeck, a re- 
lative of the young bride, was now deputed to wait upon the lat 
ter. Among other fine sayings of his, which were uttered to in- 
duce her to return home, he told her "how much her father thought 
of her." " Yes," she replied, with dignity and some warmth — 
conscious of the change in her personal appearance which the 
goodly apparel bought by her generous husband had wrought — 
" When at home, I had two or three striped linsey petticoats and 
a calico frock : now see how I am drest !" she added, at the 
same time flouncing the skirt of a rich silk gown — " This shows 
who cares most for me I" She also intimated the intention of 
soon accompanying her husband to Pennsylvania. 

On learning the result of their kinsman's interview with their 
daughter, who had heard from her own pretty mouth (which, gen- 
tle reader, was neither too large nor too small,) that she expected 
soon to remove to another state, the anxiety of the parents be- 
came exceedingly irksome. The fear of losing their daughter 
forever, wrought a wonderful change in the feehngs of the pa- 
rents, and false pride now yielded at once to the Christian spirit 
of forgiveness and reconciliation ; and the next message from 
them offered a full pardon to groom and bride for past offences, 
promising to bury in oblivion all former animosities — receive them 
home with a festival such as the Germans and Dutch were pro- 
verbially known to make at weddings in former days — and treat 
them as children deserved, having no bad habits, and no serious 
fault ; unless genuine love could be so called. The liberal terms 
proposed were accepted : a treaty of family alHance formed ; and 
at an appointed time, the happy couple, accompanied by about 
thirty officers and soldiers, and a party of citizens — the whole at- 
tended by martial music — proceeded to the Upper fort. As the 
guests drew near the entrance, Mr. Feeck ran forward, threw 
open the gate, and extending to Murphy and his wife each a hand, 
welcomed them home. Said he, as he grasped the hand of the 
patriot soldier, " You have my daughter, but you shall not take 
her to Pennsylvania : I have enough to support us all." Murphy 
was a man of powerful lungs, and giving the old man's hand a 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 397 

gripe he long remembered, replied in his usually loud voice — "She 
is no longer your's, Masther Fake ; she is my wife. I did not 
marry her to get your property, as I can take care of her myself." 
As the party entered the house, the parents both wept for joy at 
the restoration of their child ; and the good things were abun- 
dantly served to the guests, whose hearts — if I dare tell it in tem- 
perance times — " were made glad with good wine." This recon- 
ciliation took place about a month after the marriage ; from which 
time, the couple made their home at Mr. Feeck's. On the death 
of her parents, Margaret inherited their valuable estate, and her 
sons still live on the patrimonial farm. — Mrs. Angelica Vrooman, 
Mrs. Van Sli/ck, Mrs. Frederick Mattice, Maria Teahout, and 
others. 

Most of the riflemen who continued in Schoharie during the 
war, and some of the more fearless citizens, enlisted to perform 
the duty of scouts, more or less of whom, were kept constantly out 
from the Schoharie forts, in the summer season. They were called 
Rangers, a term very applicable. Their duties were at times of 
the most dangerous and fatiguing kind, and not unfrequently in 
the fall and spring of the year, when they had to encamp on the 
ground at night without a fire, they suffered almost incredible 
hardships. The music of those scouts, v^^as that produced by 
a conch-shell, which was carried by the leader, and served to call 
the party together when they chanced to become separated in the 
woods, — David Elerson. 

If the duties of the Schoharie Rangers were peculiarly hazard- 
ous and perplexing, still they saw some happy hours. Among the 
soldiers at the Middle fort were two fiddlers, who often played for 
their comrades to dance, when the latter could find female part- 
ners. On a certain occasion, the officers at the Middle fort, re- 
solved to have a dance. The soldiers concluded to have one on 
the same night, and spared no pains or expense to rival the offi- 
cers. They sent to Albany for ten gallons of wine among other 
necessaries, and succeeded in getting the ladies all away from 
their epauletted superiors, so as entirely to prevent the latter from 
dancing. My informant said that this dance cost him thirti/ dol- 
lars, and he supposed it cost several others quite as much. — Elerson 



398 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

In the fall of 1780, a small party of the enemy, a dozen or 
more in number, entered the Ballston settlement, under the di- 
rection of Joseph Bettys, a subaltern officer in the British ser- 
vice, known in border difficulties by the familiar name of Jo. 
Bettys. He resided in the Ballston settlement previous to the war, 
and when the contest began, took up arms for the states, but af- 
terwards entered the British service, proving to his former neigh- 
bors a source of frequent terror. 

Major Andrew Mitchell, of Ballston, having visited Schenec- 
tada on business, there learned, possibly through the Oneida run- 
ners, that a small detachment, mostly tories, had left Canada, 
the destination of which was unknown. In the afternoon, Mitch- 
ell set out for home on horseback, accompanied by one Arm- 
strong, a neighbor. After proceeding several miles, and arriv- 
ing on the north side of AlJplass creek, the thought occurred to 
him, that possibly he might not be free from danger, as a liberal 
reward was paid for the persons or scalps of officers. He was 
riding through the woods at the time, and scarcely had the 
thought visited his mind, which caused him to quicken the speed 
of his horse, when he was hailed in a commanding voice to stop, 
by a man who sprang upon a fallen tree near the road. The 
Major put spurs to his gallant steed and was soon out of sight of 
the highwayman, who fired at him as he passed. Armstrong could 
not keep up with his companion, but as his person was not sought 
for, he escaped unmolested. 

Before the Revolution, Jo. Bettys and Jonathan Miller, another 
celebrated tory, dwelt, one on each side of Maj. Mitchell. After 
the transaction occurred which is noticed above, it was satisfac- 
torily ascertained that the man who fired on the major, was his 
old neighbor Miller ; who had accompanied Bettys in his expedi- 
tion, and then had at his beck some half a dozen genial spirits. 
The ground being sandy, the horse's hoofs made but little noise, 
and the militia officer w^as not observed until opposite the party, 
secreted on both sides of the road expressly to capture him. 

An enterprise of Bettys in the Ballston settlement, within a 
few days of the affair related, proved more successful. He sur- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. SM 

prised and captured Aaron Banta, and his sons, Henry and Chris- 
tian, Ensign Epenetus White, and some half a dozen others. 
The elder Banta was left on parole, and the rest of the prisoners, 
who were among the best citizens in the vicinity, hurried off to 
Canada. The escape and return of part of them with Col. Gor- 
don, who was taken the year before, is already known to the 
reader. — Charles and Hugh, sons of Maj. Mitchell. 

A scout, consisting of Timothy Murphy, Bartholomew C. Vroo- 
man, William Leek, and Robert Hutt, under the command of 
Sergeant Lloyd, left the Middle fort only a day or two after the 
celebration of Murphy's marriage, expecting to be gone eight or 
nine days. Their absence was protracted to the thirteenth day, 
when they were welcomed at the fort, on the evening preceding 
the invasion of Schoharie by Sir John Johnson. The scout 
while absent, visited Punchkill, Sharon, Cherry-Valley, Unadilla, 
Susquehanna, Delhi, Minisink, and Cairo ; seeing the tracks of 
Indians in several places, but none of their persons. They how- 
ever captured a tory prisoner at Prattsville, and brought him to 
the fort. The return of this scout was most opportune for the 
welfare of the garrison, as will soon appear. 

In the latter part of September, 1780, Sir John Johnson left 
Niagara with about five hundred British, Royalist, and German 
troops, and pursued the road opened the year before by Gen. Sul- 
livan, most of the way from the Genesee valley to the Susque- 
hanna; where he was joined by a large body of Indians andtories 
there assembled under Capt. Brandt ; making his effective force as 
estimated at the several forts, one thousand men. There is a tra- 
dition, that several hundred of the Indians who left Niagara with 
Brant, returned, owing to a quarrel. Johnson's object in making 
this long journey so late in the season, was to ravage the beauti- 
ful valleys of the Schoharie and Mohawk rivers, when the crops 
of the husbandman were secured and could be burned, and if pos- 
sible to capture and destroy the three Schoharie forts. 

From Charlotte river, the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, 
the enemy proceeded toward the Schoharie, and passing down 
Panther creek, arrived near its shore in the evening of October 



400 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

16th, and encamped just above Ottegus-berg,* a romantic moun- 
tain on the west side of the river, near the upper end of Vroo- 
man's Land. 

Judge Brovm assured the author, that two days before the ar- 
rival of the enemy, he obtained a knowledge of their approach 
through a sister who was tory-fied, and communicated the fact to 
Col. Vrooman ; whereupon Marcus Bellinger, the supervisor, was 
sent to Albany to procure a wagon-load of ammunition, in antici- 
pation of such an event. Bellinger was detained in the city from 
some cause, but arrived in safety at the Lower fort, on the eve- 
ning of the 16th inst. 

Col. Johnson intended to resume his march sufficiently early on 
the morning of the 17th,f to pass the Upper fort, situated about 
three miles from his encampment, unobserved, and arriving at 
the Middle fort, just at daylight, surprise and capture it ; supposing, 
with very good reason, that the possession of it would soon cause the 
surrender of the other two more feebly garrisoned. The enemy, 
passmg along the bank of the river, crossed it nearly opposite, 
and not one third of a mile distant from the Upper fort. Owing 
to some unknown delay, the troops were not in motion as early as 
they had intended, and the rear of the army was yet upon the 
bank of the river, when Peter Feeck, who had started to go after 
cows just as day began to dawn, discovered it, and notified a sen- 
tinel, who discharged his musket. The troops were instantly 
called out, and the alarm gun thrice fired. Captains Jacob Ha- 

* This mountain was so called by the early German settlers, and signified 
the Panther-mountain, the creek taking its name from it near which it enters 
the Schoharie. A mountain situated on the opposite side of the river above 
Panther mountain, distant from the latter not more than a mile or two, was 
called by the early Germans, Wock-holter-berg ; and signified the Berry 
mountain — so called from the unusual quantity of juniper or other berries 
found upon it. The Schoharie by its serpentine course, flows at the base of 
both mountains, giving its banks a rugged appearance. 

t Col. Stone, in the " Life of Br ant,' ^ erroneously dates this transaction on 
the 16th of October. Campbell, who wrote at an earlier period, has given its 
true date, and so far as it goes, a much more authentic account of the inva- 
sion. Col. Stone blended part of the invasion in August, with that in Octo- 
ber, and incorporated several popular errors in the narrative. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 401 

ger, and Joseph Harper, both men of acknowledged courage, with 
two companies of troops, numbering it is believed, less than one 
hundred men, were in this fort at the time. The command of the 
garrison devolved on Capt. Hager, the senior officer, who sent a 
party of volunteers to the river early in the morning, among 
whom were Henry Hager, his son, Lawrence Bouck, and Isaac 
Vrooman. They saw several of the enemy on the opposite shore, 
and crossed the river and captured an Indian who lagged behind 
his fellow. As they approached him he fired upon them, the 
ball striking the powder-horn of Vrooman. When they drew up 
to fire, he sprang behind a tree, vi^hich received three of the bul- 
lets discharged at him : he then fled, abandoning his horse, a poor 
black mare with a sore back, which, with a heavy pack on, was 
taken to the fort. 

The Middle fort, at this, time was under the command of Major 
Woolsey, a continental officer, unfitted for the important duties of 
the station he held, who is said to have been a broken officer be- 
fore going to Schoharie.* Col. Vrooman was fortunately in the 
fort, as were Lieut. Col. Zielie and Maj. Thomas Ecker, officers 
belonging to his regiment. Captains Lansing, Pool, Hall, Miller 
and Richtmyer, were in the fort on that day, several of whom 
were continental officers, and all, it is believed, were men of real 
courage. The fort was garrisoned by about two hundred conti- 
nental troops, or nine months' men, as then called, and between 
one and two hundred militia. Once during the night preceding 
the invasion, the sentinels gave a partial alarm, caused by the ap- 
proach of a hostile scout. 

Some of the citizens and soldiers were already up at the Middle 
fort, and hearing the alarm gun of the fort above, the drums were 
quickly beating to arms. Livingston, an officer of artillery, was 
looking for a match to respond to the evidence of danger, when 
Susannah Vrooman ran to the house and brought him a live coal, 

•When Major Woolsey, who was remarkably spry, first went to Schoharie, 
and was seen to leap fences, and give other evidences of agility, he was ta- 
ken to be very smart, and was, of course, much respected, until found want- 
ing in courage. He was the first man who wore a garment, since called a 
roundabout, in the Schoharie valley, considered at the time a novelty. — Mrs. 
jingelica Vrooman. 



402 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

with which the gun was instantly fired. The voice of a brass nine 
pounder was thrice responded to from the Lower fort, and war's 
thunder rolled along the valley. The discharge of the alarm 
guns at the forts, became the signal for the foe to apply the in- 
cendiary torch, which was accordingly done to the buildings of 
Frederick Mattice, situated on the east side of the river in Clauver- 
wy, (where Edward Pindar now resides) and opposite that part of 
Vrooman's Land which was desolated the preceding August. The 
ham of Mattice was the first of the beacon lights seen at the Mid- 
dle fort that day, the number of which, from buildings, barracks 
of grain, and stacks of hay, viewed at that place, was estimated 
by an eye-witness, at three hundred. An invasion having been 
anticipated, the citizens lodged at the several garrisons, and the 
movement of the hostiles commencing thus early, no individuals 
were found in their dwellings except such as were either tinctured 
with royalty, or chose to brave the coming dangers to save their 
property. 

A strong northeast wind continued to blow throughout the day, 
and served to fan the flames of destruction. The weather was 
also exceedingly cold, and snow in squalls almost constantly filled 
the air. Maj. Ecker called for volunteers soon after daylight, and 
nineteen bold spirits left the fort with him to learn the cause of 
alarm, just as the fire of Mattice's buildings was discovered. As 
the wind then blew almost a gale, the soldiers left their hats, and 
substituted kerchiefs tied closely about their heads. The head of 
Timothy Murphy was adorned by the one that had concealed the 
pretty neck of his young bride, placed there by her own trembling 
hands ; the head of Bartholomew C. Vrooman with that of Susan- 
nah Vrooman, his intended, (to whom he was married about two 
weeks afterwards,) and those of others by the shawls of friends or 
lovers. Maj. Ecker, among whose followers were Lieut. Martin- 
us Zielie, Sergeant Lloyd, Murphy, Elerson, Hoever, Vrooman, 
Richard Hanson, Peter Van Slyck, Wilbur, Joachim Folluck, Ad- 
am Shell, Tufts, and Leek, proceeded from the fort in the direction 
of the present village of Middleburgh, and fell in with the ene- 
my's advance not far from the site of the Brick church. Murphy 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 403 

was on the extreme rigfht toward the river. Ecker's men now fired 
upon the enemy from behind a board fence, and some of them se- 
veral times. From his position, Murphy discovered that the ene- 
my was extending his right to cut off their retreat to the fort, and 
communicated the fact to Maj. Ecker, who instantly ordered are- 
treat. Murphy, although he had the greatest distance to run, was 
the last man who left the ground, and remained at the fence until 
he obtained a fair extra shot, when he also fled to the fort. Hun- 
dreds of balls were fired within gun-shot at the volunteers, and 
several boards in the fence from which Murphy fled, were literal- 
ly riddled with bullets ; and yet not one of the party was wound- 
ed. Most of the volunteers were riflemen, and wore short linen 
frocks, through which several of the enemy's shot passed, as also 
they did through other parts of their dress, and one struck the 
powder-horn of Vrooman. 

Colonel Johnson had given orders to his troops to spare the 
churches in Schoharie, but the Dutch church, standing opposite 
the burying ground, and near the present residence of Dr. James 
Van Gaasbeck, in Middleburgh, was burned. It is said to have 
been set on fire by William Crysler, a tory, owing to a grudge 
he held against some of its members. — Andrew Loucks. This 
church was built after the model of the ancient Dutch church in 
Albany, with a steeple rising from the centre. It was well finish- 
ed within, and painted white outside. — Mrs. Van Slyck. 

Early on the morning of the 17th, Maj. Joseph Becker, then 
in command of the Lower fort, knowing the lack of powder at 
the Middle fort, sent two men, each with a bag containing the 
necessary article on his back to that garrison. Hearing the alarm 
guns of the Upper fort, and the response of the other two, they 
increased their speed, and fortunately arrived at their destination 
just as the enemy invested that post. Mattice Ball, one of the 
two, and from whose lips this fact was obtained, said they were 
detained there during the day. 

The enemy, crossing the flats obliquely, passed the fort near 
the hill east, and halted on a small eminence nearly north of it^ 
in the orchard of Peter Becker, near the present residence of Peter 



404 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

I. Borst. At this time many of the Indians were scattered over the 
flats, engaged in the work of destruction. As the enemy were 
proceeding from the river toward the hill east of the fort j Lansing, 
a captain of the Albany militia, followed by a party of volunteers, 
sallied in that direction and met the advance, with which he ex- 
changed several shots. Elerson, stated that at this time he was 
behind a board fence near the wood, beyond his comrades, when 
he observed an officer in a red coat advance from the British ranks, 
at whom he discharged his rifle. He saw the enemy's guns lev- 
eled at him, and instantly fled to the fort. He supposed that 
seven hundred fired at him in this flight, yet he escaped from them 
untouched. The fence from which he ran, like that which had 
concealed Murphy just before, was completely peppered with 
bullets. Capt. Miller, who commanded a company of Claverack 
militia, then in the fort, called to Elerson's wife, to see her hus- 
band run. Col. Vrooman, also, as Elerson was informed, watched 
his flight with intense anxiety. A shot sent among the Bri- 
tish troops from the brass-cannon, while they were firing on El- 
erson, caused some confusion among Johnson''s Greens. They 
were then passing the most exposed part of the fortress. There 
was a small gate on the east side, through which Capt. Lan- 
sing and his men entered. 

Col. Johnson had with him a small mortar, and a field-piece — 
the latter a brass six-pounder. The carriage for the cannon was 
carried in parts, and required screwing together. They were made 
ready to fire, at the stand he had chosen in Becker's orchard, and 
a cannonading and bombardment commenced, while a constant 
firing was kept up with small arms, but generally at too great a 
distance for the latter to take effect. Three shells were well 
thrown from this position by the enemy at the fort, and many can- 
non-shot were fired but with less precision, the most of them pass- 
ing entirely over the destined object. The first shell fired, sung in 
the air like a pigeon, and exploded directly over the house ; and 
as its fragments fell upon the roof, Mrs. Richtmyer, an old lady, 
then in an upper room, who had been an invalid, and unable to 
rise alone from her bed for a long time, was so frightened that she 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 405 

sprang from it, and went below, surviving the effect but a short 
time. The second shell fell within the pickets near the well, and 
while the fuse was burning off and the ball dancing in a mud hole, 
every person exposed to its explosion had ample time to gain a 
respectful distance, and it scattered its fragments without injuring 
any one.* The third shell fell through the roof of the main 
building, and lodging on a pile of feather-beds in the chamber, 
which were deposited upon several chests of bedding, it exploded 
tearing the beds in pieces, doing little other mischief, except 
that of frightening Christian Rickard, an old bachelor, who 
chanced to be in the room, almost to death. The explosion com- 
pletely filled the room with feathers, and groping his way down 
stairs, Rickard made his appearance below, where many of the 
women and children were, covered with feathers, and spitting 
down from his mouth, which sudden fear had caused him to open 
too widely for such an atmosphere. When asked what had hap- 
pened, he replied in Low Dutch, (as kindly rendered by a Dutch 
friend, at my elbow) " Ik donk de duyvel is op de solder, de verivlie- 
gen so rondt dot ik niet zien con.^' — I think the devil is in the cham- 
ber, for the feathers fly around so that I cannot see. The beds 
were set on fire but were easily extinguished, as water had been 
provided for such emergency. 

After the firing had been continued for some time by the ene- 
my, and several shells thrown, it suddenly ceased, and a white 
flag was seen to leave the British ranks and advance toward the 
fort. The flag-bearer was accompanied on his right by an officer 
in a green uniform, and on his left by a fifer, playing Yankee- 
doodle. When the flag was discovered approaching, Maj. Wool- 
sey gave orders to have it admitted, but not another officer in 
the fort, to their credit be it said, was in favor of its admission ; 
and Murphy and Elerson, who conjectured what their fate might 

*It is stated in the Life of Brant, that a woman brought several buckets of 
water /rom a well vnthout the works exposed to the enemy's fire, for the thirsty 
soldiers ; one of whom, when required, dared not perform the feat. This 
story has no foundation in truth. The well was within the pickets, and af- 
forded ai abundant supply of water, as I have been assured by nearly a do- 
zen credible witnesses, who were in the Middle fort at the time alluded to. 



406 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

he, should the enemy learn the actual strength of the garrison, 
and succeed in its capture — determined, so the latter informed the 
author, that before the flag should enter the fort, one or the other 
of them should shoot Woolsey himself. On that day, Murphy 
used his double-barreled rifle,* and as the flag drew near he fired 
upon it — not with the intention of killing its bearer, or either of 
his companions, as is generally supposed, but to say, in effect, 
" approach any nearer and you are a dead man." The trio with 
the flag halted, faced about and marched back to their former 
station. 

When Murphy fired on the flag, Maj. Woolsey was not present, 
having visited his quarters to prepare himself to enforce submis- 
sion to his commands ; for soon after, he returned pistol in hand, 
and demanded who had dared to disobey his orders'? "I fired 
on the flag," said Murphy. Maj. W. then threatened the brave 
soldier with instant death if he repeated the act ; and the latter, 
who believed the willingness of the commandant to admit the flag 
proceeded from cowardice alone, retorted with warmth — " Sooner 
than see that flag enter this fort, will I send a bullet through your 
heart." Seeing an evident disposition in all the officers present 
to sustain Murphy — for they had rallied round him to a man, (not 
from a desire to see just commands violated, but to defend the fort 
at all hazards,) the major walked towards the house. In this 
time, the flag attended as before, had again advanced, and Maj. 
W. had not proceeded two rods when Murphy again fired, and its 
bearer faced about and retired. 

During this parley the firing on both sides had ceased, with 
the exception stated, and was not resumed until after Col. John- 
son, from his great desire to get a flag into the fort, despatched it 
by the same party a third time. It is possible that from his posi- 
tion he had, with a spy-glass, observed the movement of Maj. 

• Much has heen said about Murphy's double-barreled gun — and more 
than it merited: at least, so a son of Murphy assured the writer he liad often 
heard his father say. He had scuh a gun, while at Schoharie, but it was so 
heavy he seldom used it, except on garrison duty. An anecdote told by 
Campbell, of the use of this gun, I have not been able to authenticate so as to 
-warrant its insertion. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 407 

Woolsey. They had not proceeded as far as at first, however, 
when a third bullet from Murphy's rifle passed over their heads, 
saying, in effect, " thus far, but no farther;" and they returned to 
the ranks. The firing was then renewed. 

Maj. Woolsey, after the spar with Murphy, entered the dwelhng 
where the women and children were confined ; but their jeers sa- 
voring too much of satire, he left their presence and sought safety 
elsewhere. The cellar under the kitchen part of the dwelling 
was occupied as a magazine, and Col. Vrooman, to conceal the 
deficiency of powder, brought it himself when wanted. All the 
officers in the fort, except Woolsey, divested themselves of their 
hats early in the siege and substituted cravats : while several of 
them laid oflf their coats, and taking guns, all fought manfully.* 
As powder was needed Col. Vrooman laid down his gun and 
sword and went to get it. Near the cellar door he encountered 
Maj. Woolsey, who had just left the presence of the women, as 
may be supposed, not in very good humor. " Maj. Woolsey, is 
this your place," interrogated the brave colonel, " who are placed 
here to defend this fort V He replied, half dead through fear — 
" Col. Vrooman, the men will not obey me, and I give up the com- 
mand to you." At this moment a cannon shot struck the house 
and fell harmless at their feet. The colonel instantly caught it 
up, and playfully extended it to the major, with the simple excla- 
mation — " Send that back to them !" With perfect indifiTerence 

the coward replied, " That I think would be s n work." The 

fire of the Dutch colonel was instantly ignited at the indifference 
and filthy expression of the commandant, and speaking in his 
usually quick manner, he rejoined — "Maj. Woolsey, had I my 
sword I would run you through with it." The major, perhaps 
ashamed of his conduct, wheeled and walked off, and the colonel 
got his powder and returned to his men, exclaiming as he gave 
them the necessary article, " Fire away my brave lads, we have 
plenty of ammuniton." The troops were gratified to learn that 

* la the early part of the war the captains al! carried guns, but at a later 
period they were prohibited from bearing them, from a complaint that while 
loading they neglected dxities to their men. 

27 



4D8 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

the command of the fort was surrendered to him, and obeyed his 
orders with alacrity. More than once when he went for powder, 
as he afterwards confessed, did his hair rise on his head, not from 
fear of the enemy, but lest the small supply of ammunition should 
be completely exhausted, and the foe, becoming conscious of it, 
storm their works. — Mrs. Angelica Vrooman. 

The firing of shells was not renewed by the enemy, and the 
discharge of grape and round shot was only continued at inter- 
vals from the fort, as the supply of powder would not warrant its 
constant use. Destructionists were to be seen at this period of 
the siege, scattered over the flats in almost every direction. The 
garrison was too weak to make a bold sortie, but many small par- 
ties were sent out during the day to harass the enemy, and save, 
if possible, a large barn belonging to John Becker, which stood 
almost in the direction of Col. Johnson's position : around which 
clustered numerous stacks of hay and grain. As several Indians 
were seen approaching the barn, a party from the fort went to 
meet them. Several shots were exchanged, and Sergeant Coop- 
er, of Albany, received a wound in one leg ; and was instantly 
borne off by two of his comrades to the fort : but while proceed- 
ing thither, he received a ball through his body, of which his car- 
riers were unconscious. As they entered the fort, Susannah Vroo- 
man enquired where Cooper was wounded 1 The reply was, " in 
the leg." She remarked that he bled from the body, and on lay- 
ing him down, it was ascertained that he had received a wound 
there, of which he soon after died. 

About this time, several volunteers entered the fort, who had 
been pursued by the enemy. Miss Vrooman stood near the en- 
trance in an exposed situation, and Samuel Reynolds, as he en- 
tered, said to her — " Susannah, get away from here or you will 
be shot !" The words were scarcely uttered before a ball entered 
his own head, of which wound he died nine days after. He was 
from New Jersey : was a likely soldier, and died lamented. Je- 
remiah Loucks was also wounded in one arm, and Tufts slightly 
in the head — the latter, while entering the fort — who, with the 
two mortally wounded, it is believed, were all that were injured 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 409 

belonging to the Middle fort. The wounded were properly at- 
tended by Doct. John King, the settled physician at that place, 
who acted as surgeon during the war. 

Nicholas Sloughter, who acquired the reputation of a good sol- 
dier, had a very sick child in the fort, and as he was leaving it, 
with a party of volunteers under Murphy, was told that his child 
appeared to be dying, and he had better remain. " I can do the 
child no good," was his reply ; " my duty is to protect the living 
as well as the dying" Before his return, he and Murphy took a 
prisoner, dressed in a green uniform ; who gave his name as Ben- 
jamin Butts. He was a New England man, who had been made 
prisoner some time before, and while in Canada, had enlisted into 
the British service as a ranger, to embrace an opportunity to de- 
sert. He returned home soon after. — Mrs. Van Slyck. 

During the seige of the Middle fort, a scout under Lieut. Mar- 
tinus Zielie, captured a French Indian while stealing a horse 
owned by Harmanus Bouck. Lewis Denny, a French Indian, 
nearly white, (mentioned as having scalped a squaw and after- 
wards married her,) joined the Americans in the Revolution, and 
remained at Middleburgh. Being in the fort when Lieut. Zielie 
returned with his prisoner, the latter was so saucy, that Lewis, 
who could understand his insolent gibberish, instantly knocked 
him down. This prisoner is said to have been an Indian interpre- 
ter. — George Richtmyer. 

Elerson had command of a few rangers during the day ; one of 
whom, John Wilbur, fell in with a tory, catching a horse, near 
the present residence of Peter Swart, and asked him to what par- 
ty he belonged ? He replied, " the Indian party;" and instantly 
received a bullet from Wilbur's rifle. He took off his scalp, and 
as he entered the fort with it in his hand, Maj. Woolsey told him 
he ought to have his own scalp taken off. This man and another, 
shot during the day, were supposed to be Indians at the time, but 
proved to be tories from the vicinity of Albany. — David Elerson^ 
Mrs. Van Slyck and George Richtmyer. 

While Elerson was out with his party, he saw an Indian ap- 
proaching the stacks at the barn near the fort, at whom he fired. 



410 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

The warrior ran off towards the woods east of the barn. In the 
following spring, a dead Indian was discovered in that direction, 
by Bill, a slave owned by John Becker, while getting fire-wood. 
He was found sitting with his back against a tree, having his gun 
between his knees and resting in his arms. His eyes had been 
dug out, as supposed, by birds. This Indian was presumed to have 
been the one fired on by Elerson. — Elerson, Mrs. Van Slyck and 
Judge Hager. 

We have seen that Murphy did not spare his rifle balls when 
the Middle fort was invested. Needing an additional supply, An- 
gelica Vrooman, as she informed the author, took Murphy's bullet 
mould, lead, and an iron spoon, went to her father's tent, and 
there moulded a quantity of bullets for that fearless ranger, amidst 
the roar of cannon and musketry. 

Jacob Winne, of Albany, was commissary at the Schoharie 
forts; occupying a part of the Becker house, two rooms in which 
are said to have accommodated Jive families each. Samuel Van 
Vechten, of Albany, was press-master, and Douw Fonda, forest- 
er, all of whom, it is believed, were in the Middle fort when be- 
sieged by the troops under Johnson. The commissary was a lit- 
tle corned during the action, and finding Maj. Woolsey stowed 
away in one of the small family huts, bored him not a little. Not 
only the commissary, but many others, some of whom were fe- 
males, made themselves merry at the coward's expense, jeering 
and teasing him with perfect impunity. — Mrs. Van Slyck and 
Andrew Loucks. 

Col. Johnson remained with the regular troops near the Middle 
fort, until his destructives had effectually demolished every species 
of property they possibly could in that vicinity, when he moved 
down the valley about 3 o'clock, P. M. After the enemy were 
out of sight, Maj. Woolsey ordered several apple trees near to be 
cut down and brought around the fort, fearing the enemy might 
return and attempt to storm the works. He left Schoharie the 
next day, and was never seen again leaping fences on horseback, 
in that delightful valley. — Andrew Loucks and others. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 411 

As may be supposed, the most intense anxiety was felt at the 
Upper, while the firing continued at the Middle fort ; and soon af- 
ter it began, Capt. Hager gave orders that in case the enemy ap- 
peared before that fort, the women and children should go into a 
long cellar under the Feeck house. While preparations were in 
progress to resist an attack should it be made, Mary Haggidorn, a 
buxom lass of goodly proportions, who partook of the spirit which 
animated her brothers, and who had heard the cellar order with 
other feelings than those inspired by fear, stepped up to the com- 
mandant and thus addressed him : " Captain, I shall not go into 
that cellar ! Should the enemy come I will take a spear, which 
I can use as well as any man, and help defend the fort." Capt. 
Hager was gratified to find a soldier where he little expected one, 
and admiring her fearless spirit, he replied, " Then take a spear, 
Mary, and be ready at the pickets to repel an attack !" She did 
take a spear, nor was it discarded until the danger was past. As 
soon as the firing ceased the second time at the fort below, Capt. 
Hager dispatched Ensign Peter Swart, William Zimmer, and Jo- 
seph Evans to learn whether their worst fears were to be realized 
— whether the British cross had taken the place of Freedom's 
stars. On their return with the report that all was safe, the wel- 
kin rang with huzzas for the American flag. — Manuscript of Judge 
Hager. 

What loss the besiegers sustained in their attack on the Middle 
fort is uncertain, but it is supposed to have been several times 
greater than that of the Americans. Where had formerly stood 
the barn of Judge Borst, charred bones were found, supposed to 
have been those of several of their number which they had pur- 
posely burned. What induced Sir John to abandon further at- 
tempts to take the fort is uncertain, but it is conjectured that from 
the firing on the flag he was led to suppose the troops were con- 
scious of being able to defend it. The enemy succeeded, during 
the day, in burning part of the grain which had been stacked near 
the fort for safety. — Mrs. Van Slyck. 

Maj. Becker had at his command at the Lower fort, on the ar- 
rival of Sir John Johnson in its vicinity, Capt. Stubrach with his 



412 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

company of militia, a part of the associate exempts under Captain 
Peter Snyder, (who succeeded Capt. Vrooman at his death,) and 
a body of Norman's- kill militia ; making his effective force, from 
one hundred and fifty to two hundred men. — Peter Vrooman* 

Early in the morning, Jacob Van Dyck, Anthony Brontner and 
Barney Cadugney were dispatched by Maj. Becker to ascertain 
the cause of the firing at the forts above. Arriving at the house 
of Jacob J. Lawyer, they found his wife and a wench at home 
preparing to bake. At the house of Hendrlck Shafer, the females 
were also at home, where they saw food upon a table. The wo- 
men of those families chose to brave the dangers of the day, to 
save their dwellings from the general conflagration, while the 
men were in the fort below. The scout proceeded as far as Bel- 
linger's, and saw the British troops about a mile distant. Near 
this place, they met the advance of the enemy, and were pursued 
by seven Indians led by Seth's Henry. They were fired upon, 
and the balls struck near them. A ball striking the fence by Ca- 
dugney's side, threw a splinter into his arm. He called to his 
companions that he was wounded ; and near the present residence 
of Peter Richtmyer, Van Dyck drew the splinter from his arm, 
telling him he was not hurt much : which he would hardly believe. 
Gaining upon the Indians, who had halted to reload their pieces, 
Cadugney took occasion, as the latter were out of sight, to con- 
ceal himself in a hollow stump — near which they passed without 
discovering him. 

When the firing ceased in the Middle fort for the flag to ad- 
vance, the inmates of the fort below were apprehensive it had 
been taken, and Major Becker dispatched another scout, consisting 
of George Snyder, Jacob Enders, John Van Wart and John Hutt, 
to ascertain whether the fort had been captured. The second 
scout met the first near where Storm Becker resides, and joined it 
in flight. They were hotly pursued, and were obliged to scatter. 
Enders and Snyder were together, and as the enemy were level- 
ing a volley of balls at them, they sprang behind a rock, against 

• He was a major of militia after the war. He married Angelica, daugh- 
ter of Col. Peter Vrooman. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 413 

which several of the leaden messengers spent their force. End- 
ers, who was fleet as an antelope, often took trees to favor the 
flight of his less speedy companions, which always treed the ene- 
my. Van Dyck struck off" into the woods east of the residence of 
Jacob H. Shafer, again struck the flats below, and regained the 
fort in safety. Enders and Snyder also arrived there before the 
enemy. Van Wart (who is said to have put on his go-to-meet- 
ing hat before he left the fort,) had observed on his way up, sev- 
eral apple-pies just taken from the oven at Lawyer's, and not 
having had any breakfast, declared his intention of having some 
of the pie on his return. He was warned not to stop ; but disre- 
garding the caution of his companions, as the enemy were not 
then in sight, he halted. While he was eating, Westhoft, a Ger- 
man school teacher, who had been teaching school the preceding 
summer in Ingold's barn near by, opened the door and exclaimed : 
" Here they come !" as a party of Indians arrived at the house. 
In the act of jumping from a back window, he was fired upon in 
front and rear, the enemy having already surrounded the house. 
He was instantly dispatched, and his body much mutilated. He 
was a Low Dutchman, born near Albany ; was a cooper by trade, 
and had resided nine years in the Ingold family, near where he 
was shot. 

As the Indians entered Lawyer's dwelling, one of them raised 
a tomahawk to strike the schoolmaster, but Mrs. Lawyer seized 
his arm and arrested the fatal blow. She pleaded for his life and 
it was spared, adding another evidence to the influence of woman. 
Brett, an old female slave, was considered a lawful prize, and was 
taken along a little distance, but was finally permitted to return. 
— Anna Eve, widow of Jacob J. Lawyer.^ 

John Ingold, who dwelt where his son and namesake now re- 
sides, was in the fort that day with all his family except Anthony 
Witner, his step-father. As a hostile invasion was expected, the 

* Mrs. Lawyer stated to the writer, in 1835, that while her husband and a 
hired man were harvesting grain during the war, they were fired upon by the 
enemy, and the laborer killed ; the former fled across the river and escaped. 
Mrs. Lawyer was a daughter of Philip and Christina Berg. She had two 
children, a son and daughter. The latter is now the wife of Ex-Gov. Bouck_ 



414 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

present John Ingold, then a lad fourteen years old, went the eve- 
ning before with a wagon to take old Mr. Witner to the fort, 
but he declined going, and said he chose to stay and defend his 
house. He had given his grandson an old gun which was then 
at the fort ; this he requested to have sent to him in the morning. 
The Ingold dwelling was burned, and as a part of two skeletons 
were found in its ruins, it was conjectured that a plunderer had 
been killed by Mr. Witner, before his death. The remains of the 
latter were identified by his silver knee-buckles. A barrack filled 
with peas, standing scarcely three yards distant from Ingold's 
barn, was set on fire and the enemy supposed from its proximity 
it would burn the latter ; but as the former stood west of the build- 
ing and the wind blew a gale from the northeast, the fire was for- 
tunately not communicated to it. A fence on fire and slowly burn- 
ing to the windward, which would have carried the flame to the 
barn, was extinguished after the enemy left. The dwelHng of 
Hendrick Shafer was not burned, that of Tunis Shafer, which stood 
where David Shafer lives, was burnt with its out buildings; and 
that of Lawyer, below Ingold's, shared the same fate the night 
following. — John Ingold, Mattice Ball, and others. 

The firing at Middleburgh was heard in Cobelskill, ten miles 
distant, and Lawrence Lawyer and Henry Shafer proceeded to- 
wards Schoharie, to learn the cause. Arriving on the hills near, 
they caught a view of the general conflagration ; and they un- 
expectedly fell in with a party of Indians, but escaped their no- 
tice by the timely movement of several cattle in the woods close 
by, which directed the enemy from their concealment. The two 
friends remained secreted until the Indians had retired, when they 
hastened back to Cobelskill, to warn the citizens of their danger. — 
Lawrence Lawyer. 

Johnson's troops had been so long in the valley, that ample 
time was gained to get every thing in readiness at the Lower 
fort, for its defence. Several barrels of water were provided to 
extinguish the church, which contained the women and children, 
should it be set on fire. The magazine which was thus liberally 
replenished, was kept beneath the pulpit in the church, and w as 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 415 

under the charge of Dr. George Werth, a physician, settled in 
the vicinity, who acted as surgeon. In the tower of the church 
were stationed, under Ensign Jacob Lawyer, jr., fifteen or twenty 
good marksmen, who could command considerable territory. 
Quite a number of fearless women at the Lower fort are said to 
have stood ready at the pickets, when the enemy appeared in 
sight, armed with spears, pitchforks, poles, &c.,* to repel an at- 
tack. — Maj. Peter Vrooman, Col. Dieiz, of Beaver Dam, Jacob 
Becker, Judge Brown and others. 

The enemy approached the Lower fort in a body, about four 
o'clock P. M., and were saluted with a small mounted cannon 
without the pallisades, (the one formerly owned by John Law- 
yer,) charged with grape and cannister shot. Col. Johnson rais- 
ed a spy-glass as the swivel was drawn out, and suddenly lower- 
ing it, said to his men. It is only a grass-hopper, march on ! It 
was supposed to have done fearful execution, as many of the 
enemy fell, but to the surprise of the Americans, they arose and 
advanced ; having only fallen to let the shot pass over them. A 
grape shot entered the knapsack of a soldier, and lodged against 
a pair of shoes. He was more frightened than hurt, and carried 
the shot to Canada. The American soldiers were hardly able to 
obtain shoes, and this Canadian had an extra new pair, which 
saved his life. — Becker, Van Dyck, Vrooman and Dietz. 

Jacob Van Dyck, Nicholas Warner, Jacob Becker, John Ingold, 
Sen., and John Kneiskern, were among the men stationed with 

•Judge Brown, who was accounted a genuine whig, was suspected, 
though unjustly I believe, of disaffection on the day Schoharie was burnt. 
He stated to the writer, that he was at the Lower fort on the morning of that 
day, and aided in the early preparations for its defence ; and had intended 
to volunteer his services in case of a hostile attack. His wife was deter- 
mined to go to Livingston's manor, where she had relatives; and to set out 
that day. She went out and seated herself in the wagon, outside the pick- 
ets; and declared her intention to remain there and be shot rather than 
again enter the fort, where she had already been over two years. Brown 
probably knew, that " J/a woman will, she will," and he might "depend onH;" 
said he felt ashamed to be seen quarreling with his wife — reluctantly yielded 
to her wishes — entered the wagon and drove off. The smoke of burning 
buildings was then visible up the valley. This I consider another specimen 
of female influence. 



416 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Lawyer in the church tower. When Capt. Stubrach and others 
were firing the " grass-hopper," Peter, a brother of Ensign Law- 
yer, who had command of the men on the church, was seen to ap- 
proach the fort from the direction of the river, in advance of the 
enemy. He proceeded to the tower, and held a secret conference 
with his brother, soon after which they both left the fort together, 
and did not return until the invaders were out of sight. The con- 
duct of the ensign subjected him to some censure at the time — in- 
deed, it needs an explanation at the present day. 

Hearing that his ensign had deserted his station, which was too 
commanding not to be properly occupied, Capt. Snyder immedi- 
ately took charge of the men, who rendered good services by their 
skill as marksmen. — Becker, Van Di/ck, and Warner. 

The enemy, when fired upon, filed off, the regulars, under John- 
son, to the west, and the Indians, under Brant, to the east. The 
former crossed the flats, between the fort and the river, and did not 
halt until after they had passed Foxes creek, below the old saw- 
mill. They were several times fired upon from a block-house, 
upon that side, which mounted a six-pounder, charged with grape 
and canister, but with what effect is unknown. Most of the In- 
dians crossed Foxes creek in a body, but a few stragglers lingered 
to burn buildings. The wood-work of Tunis Swarfs tavern, the 
present residence of Lodowick Fries, was burned. The parson- 
age, which stood some twenty rods east of the present one, was 
not consumed. A house now standing on a knoll some thirty 
rods southeast of the church, was occupied in 1780 by the widow 
of Domine Schuyler, and one of her sons. It was erected one 
and a half stories, with a gambrel roof, but was altered to its pre- 
sent form after the war. About the time Swarfs dwelling was 
fired, an Indian was seen approaching this house with a fire-brand. 
Several rifles were instantly discharged at him from the tower, 
and he sprang behind the trunk of an apple-tree, which is still to 
be seen. Five balls struck the tree as he sprang behind it. No 
more was seen of the Indian, who abandoned the attempt to burn 
the house. — JVicholas Warner and Jacob Becker. This apple-tree 
has an antiquated look, stands alone, and I really hope that the 
" Woodman" will " spare that tree !" 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 417 

I have said Col. Johnson halted after crossing Foxes creek. 
Preparations were now made to give the Americans a passing sa- 
lute — the gun carriage was screwed together, and the gun placed, 
upon it. At this time it was supposed by the men in the tower, 
from the ease with which the gun was carried and the manner of 
its transportation in a wagon, to be a " peeled log" placed with 
the design of frightening its inmates to surrender the fort. On 
applying the linstock it twice flashed, and the Americans were 
the more confirmed in their opinion that the foe was " playing 
possum" — but the third application of the match was followed 
by a peal of war's thunder, which sent a ball through one side of 
the roof of the church, and lodged it in a heavy rafter on the op- 
posite side. The shock jarred the whole building. A second 
discharge of the enemy's gun lodged a ball in the purlin-plate ; 
and the hole made by its entrance is visible at the present day. — 
Jacob Becker, and Cyrus Clark, corroborated by others* 

While the enemy were discharging their cannon, rum sweeten- 
ed with gun-powder was carried round in a pail to the soldiers, 
by Mrs. Snyder, to divest them of fear. This was a common 
beverage in former times, when hostile armies were about to con- 
flict. The liquor was thought to embolden, while the powder 
maddened the warrior. As she presented the glass to the soldiers 
at the pickets, the hands of some trembled so as scarcely to hold 
it. — Peter M. Snyder. 

While the enemy were firing on the church, an Indian crept 
behind an elm tree on the bank of the creek northwest of it, and 
lodged three rifle balls in the tower. They struck nearly in the 
same spot over head, but the first two were not buried sufficiently 
deep to remain, and fell upon the deck, one of which was taken 
up by John Kneiskern, but found it too hot to be retained. By re- 
moving part of the paling, a rifle was brought to bear on the 

• Not many years ago, a new covering was put upon the church by Mr. 
Clark, who states that the cannon shot lodged in the western plate in 1780, 
was then taken out and presented to John Gebhard, Esq. of Schoharie ; and 
the one from the rafter to P. M. Snyder, in consequence of the intrepidity of 
Snyder's mother when the balls were lodged. This relic was presented the 
writer by Mr. Snyder in 1837. It weighs a little over six pounds. 



418 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

presumptuous foe. As he showed part of his face, to try a fourth 
shot, a marksman planted a bullet in the tree near his head, when 
he decamped in hot haste. — Jacob Becker, and Jacob Van Dyck^ 

The enemy made but a short stay near the Lower fort. Brant, 
after burning the tavern and out building of Jacob Snyder, and 
those of some other citizens along Foxes creek, came into the 
river road a few rods north west of the Brick House of Capt. 
Mann. This house was two stories in the Revolution, but was 
razed a story some time after. Brant was joined on the rise of 
ground above Mann's, by the regulars under Johnson, who made 
a little show of giving another salute ; but a shower of rifle balls 
from the church tower, with several successive and well directed 
discharges of grape-shot, from the block-house in the north east 
corner of the inclosure, caused him to move down the valley. A 
dwelling and grist mill standing near the fort, (where those of 
Griggs now are,) were set on fire, but extinguished after the ene- 
my left. The barn and other out buildings were consumed. — P. 
M. Snyder, Maj. P. Vrooman and Jacob Becker. 

Whether the enemy sustained any loss in their attack on the 
Lower fort is unknown. If any had been killed, their bodies were 
no doubt consumed in some of the burning buildings in KJieiskern's 
dorf. 

At an interview with Jacob Enders, the soldier previously 
mentioned, he related the following incident. After the enemy 
began to move down the valley, he left the fort to hang upon 
his rear. Discovering an Indian, he followed him along the 
creek toward the river, until he got a shot at him. He had on a 
large pack, and over one shoulder hung a goose, he had recently 
killed. When Enders fired, the Indian fell upon his knees, and 
dropped his pack and goose ; then springing upon his feet, he set 
off on a moderate trot toward the river. Enders pursued until 
the Indian turned and raised his rifle on him, when he halted to 
load, and the Indian without firing, again ran oflf. After pursu- 
ing until he was exposed to the fire of others of the enemy, En- 
ders gave over the chase. On arriving where he had left the pack 
and goose, he found that John Rickard, a fellow soldier, who had 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 419 

seen the spoils abandoned from his position in the block-house, 
had been there and taken them to the fort, Enders claimed them, 
but Rickard would not give them up, or any part of them. The 
pack contained eight pairs of new mocasons. 

On the day Schoharie was burned, three soldiers, Abraham 
Bergh, Jacob Kneiskern, and one Grenadare, with several other 
persons, were returning to the Lower fort with three head of fat 
cattle for that garrison ; and on arriving near the present residence 
of Daniel Larkin, they discovered the advance of the enemy, and 
drove the cattle into the adjoining woods. The citizens made 
good their retreat, and the soldiers secreted themselves to watch 
the motions of the enemy. They observed a small party of In- 
dians approach Merclc's place, on the Ferry road. The trio suc- 
ceeded in getting within gun shot of the party, and as the latter 
were at a pump, fired upon them, killing one of their number with 
a buckshot. The Americans then made good their retreat, and 
reached the fort in safety. — David, a son ofAbr. Bergh. 

Having executed his mission in Schoharie so far as he found it 
practicable, Sir John Johnson encamped for the night near Harman 
Sidney's, the present residence of John C. Van Vechten, nearly six 
miles north of the Lower fort. A noble deer confined in a pen at 
Sidney's, wiiich he was fatting with no little care for his own use, 
was killed and feasted on by the enemy. Some soldiers at work 
for its owner a few days before, wanted to kill the animal then, 
but he chose to reserve it for another occasion. In the mornincr. 
Col. Johnson sank his mortar and shells in a morass, and directed 
his course to Fort Hunter. One of the shells was recovered some 
weeks open in mud knee deep ; and on being broken open it was 
found to contain dry powder, which was divided among the vic- 
tors. — Col. Deitz, William Becker, and Jacob Enders, 

After Sir John Johnson passed the Lower fort, George Meri- 
ness was despatched to Albany by Maj. Becker, with intelligence 
of his invasion, and success in Schoharie. — William Snyder. 

That beautiful valley, on the evening after the invasion, pre- 
sented a most gloomy picture. Ruin and desolation followed in 
the train of the foe, and many a man who had risen in the morn- 



420 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 

ing in comfortable, if not in affiuent circumstances, found himself 
in the evening houseless, and almost ruined in property. His 
hams and barracks which the morning light had disclosed well 
filled with the rich reward of his season's labors, were so many 
heaps of smouldering ruins. His cattle, horses and swine, which 
had grazed " upon a thousand hills," either lay dead in the ad- 
joining fields, or had been taken by the ravagers : while some of 
his fences had been burned and others demolished. Thus was re- 
venged the destruction of the Indian possessions in the Chemung 
and Genesee valleys the year before by Gen. Sullivan ; which, 
had they a historian, would be found a no less gloomy picture. 
Scarcely a log house at that early day was to be seen in the Scho- 
harie valley : the dwellings were mostly good framed buildings, 
well finished and some of them painted. But here and there a 
building, from some cause, escaped the devouring element, to ren- 
der the general ruin the more obvious. The dwelling of Peter 
Rickard was set on fire, and after the enemy had left it, an old ne- 
o-ro, owned by John Lawyer, went to it from his concealment in 
the woods near, found a quantity of milk on the premises, and 
with that extinguished the flames. The house of one of his neigh- 
bors was also set on fire and put out. — Andrew LoucJcs. It is 
possible one or two other houses may have escaped the general 
conflao-ration under somewhat similar circumstances. Several fa- 
milies residing on the uplands, east of the Court House, remained 
at home undisturbed by the enemy. — Eleanor, widow of Mcholas 
Feeck. 

Henry Haines, jr., of New Dorlach, who was with the enemy 
in the Schoharie valley, on the evening after its conflagration, ar- 
rived at the Lower fort, and enquired for John Rickard, his half 
brother, who was a whig. Haines had burned his feet so badly 
in plundering a building on fire, that he could not travel ; and 
claimed the sympathy of his kinsman. Rickard pitied the wretch 
and concealed him in his hut for several days under lock and key, 
to keep him from the revenge of his injured fellow countrymen : 
allowing him, possibly, to pick the bones of Enders' goose. — 
Peggy Ingold, corroloraied. 



(421 ) 



CHAPTER XIV. 



On the morning of October ISth, Col. Vrooman, collecting 
what troops could be spared from the three forts, pursued the re- 
treating foe. He hung upon his rear all the way to the Mohawk 
valley, and by a timely movement circumscribed his burning foot- 
steps. — Jacob Becker^ JVicholas Warner, and David Zeh. 

The fire and smoke of the burning buildings in the lower part 
of Schoharie, fifteen or twenty miles distant, were distinctly seen 
at the residence of Cornelius Putman, on the Schoharie, about a 
mile from its junction with the Mohawk. — Peter, a son of Corne- 
lius Putman, who lives on the paternal farm. 

On the following morning, Victor, a son of Cornelius Putman, 
and Garret, a son of Cornelius Newkirk, proceeded on horseback 
from the vicinity of Fort Hunter in the direction of Schoharie, to 
discover the cause of the light seen the previous afternoon, and 
learn if a foe was approaching the Mohawk. They fell in with 
the enemy's advance on the Oak Ridge, a few miles from their 
last encampment, retreated, were hotly pursued, and Newkirk 
made captive. The timely return of his companion, however, 
who borrowed ahorse of William Hall, a pioneer settler, (having 
been obliged to abandon his own,) enabled several families in the 
neighborhood to make good their escape, or guard against sur- 
prise and capture. 

At this period dwellings had been erected by Richard HoiF 
and Marcus Hand, on the west side of the Schoharie, some four 
miles from Fort Hunter, in the present town of Glen. Those 
houses were plundered and burnt by the Indians under Brant. 
The family of Hoff escaped captivity by flight, and Hand was in 
Florida at the time. 



422 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Cornelius Putman removed his family into the woods, and se- 
creted a part of his most valuable effects before the enemy ap- 
peared in sight. His neighbors, Cornelius and John Newkirk, 
brothers, who lived on the east side of the river, also secreted a 
part of their property, and their families escaped, except William, 
a son of the latter, and three or four slaves, who had lingered a 
little too long at the house, and were captured. The enemy did 
not fire any buildings in the valley, until they had been there 
some time. Putman, after securing his effects, secreted himself, 
with a loaded gun, near his house, and saw the first Indian enter 
upon his premises. He went into the barn and brought out his 
arms full of tobacco (most of the farmers then raised a patch of 
the plant) which he laid down and began twisting into suitable 
hanks ; and as often as made, thrust into his blanket above the 
belt which encircled his waist. Putman several times drew up 
his gun to fire on the Indian, but when he reflected that he would 
doubtless be pursued, and his flight might lead not only to his own, 
but to the death of his family, and the destruction or plunder of 
his concealed property, he desisted from firing. From his retreat, 
however, he watched the motions of the enemy for hours. A 
party entered his house, and among the spoils brought from the 
cellar a keeler full of eggs, which they took to the kitchen, a lit- 
tle building detached from the dwelling, where they made a fire, 
boiled, and divided them. He saw them rob his bee-hives, and a 
part of the robbers sit down and feast upon the dainty product of 
the insect's labor. Soon after this a gun was fired, which was the 
signal for applying the incendiary torch, and one of the party, in 
Putman's presence, after swinging a fire-brand several times over 
his head until it blazed, applied it to the well-filled barns which 
were soon in flames. The house was set on fire, and several of the 
party fired their guns into a number of stacks and barracks of 
PTain near, and all were soon reduced to a heap of ruins. The 
dwellings and out-buildings of the Newkirk's were also set on 
fire at the given signal, and soon shared the same fate. — Peter 
Putman, AVm V., son of Victor Putman, and Johny hn of Mar- 
cus Hand. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 423 

The family of Putman had crossed the river, and with the 
Newkirk famlUes was on its way to Fort Hunter, when the 
enemy in a body appeared in sight, at which time several hun- 
dred of the Indians and tories were seen riding Schoharie horses. 
The fugitives then concealed themselves in the woods, at which 
place the ashes blown from John Newkirk's barn and barracks, 
completely covered them. Putman, very fortunately, had a large 
stack of peas out of sight from his house, which escaped the con- 
flagration, and enabled him, by an exchange of peas for rye, 
which he made at Claverack, to provide his family with bread the 
next season. On the west side of the river, a little distance above 
Putman, dwelt Harmanus and Peter H. Mabee, brothers. A short 
time previous to this invasion they had removed to Rotterdam. 
Many of their effects were left in their dwellings, which, with 
their well-filled barns and barracks, shared the same fate as those 
of their neighbors. One of the Mabees had seven large fat hogs, 
in a pen near the house, which were all killed by the enemy, and 
left in the pen. They were killed with a pitchfork taken from 
Putman's barn, being all stabbed with it between the eyes. 
Putman had several large hogs in a pen, which he let out before 
the enemy arrived. They were yet round the pen when the first 
Indian appeared, but had fortunately found a place of conceal- 
ment before the destructives were ready to slay them. — Peter Put- 
man. 

The citizens of Cadaughrity built temporary huts next day, 
and erected log dwellings soon after, in which they passed the 
winter. Leaving the Schoharie valley the enemy entered that of 
the Mohawk. They avoided Fort Hunter, from which they were 
fired upon, approaching no nearer to it in a body, than the pre- 
sent residence of Richard Hudson, distant half a mile or more. 
At the latter place there resided a German named Schrembling, 
who, although a tory, chanced to be outside of his house, and 
being unknown, was killed and scalped ; his family were how- 
ever left undisturbed. The enemy, after taking a few women and 
children prisoners, amoftg whom were Mrs. Peter Martin, (whose 
husband was then a merchant in Quebec,) proceeded up the Mo- 

28 



424 HISTOEY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

hawk. Soon after the invasion of Johnson, a small block-house 
was erected on the land of Cornelius Putman, which was also un- 
der the management of Capt. Tremper. — Peter Putman. 

At Martin's, the Indians obtained a two horse iron-shod wagon, 
a vehicle rarely seen in those days, and a horse which, with a 
pack-horse, w^as harnessed before it. Mrs. Martin and her two 
boys, Barney and Jeremiah, after seeing their house burnt and 
all their property destroyed, were put into the wagon with se- 
veral scullions and a c^antity of baggage ; among v;hich were 
a few pans of honey from Putman's. The party proceeded up 
the valley as far as the present residence of George J. E. Lasher, 
(just below the Nose, and known on the Erie canal as the Willow 
Basin,) where they encamped for the night; plundering and 
burning all the whig dwellings wdiich had escaped former visita- 
tions of a similar character. The road was so bad at that time, 
that the enemy found it very difficult to get along with the wa- 
gon, and finally abandoned it near the present village of Fulton- 
ville. It was unloaded, filled with rails from an adjoining fence, 
and set on fire ; the iron-work was afterw^ards recovered. Jere- 
miah Martin, then only four or five years old, was eating honey 
in the wagon unconscious of danger, and on leaving it, was li- 
terally covered with the vegetable nectar from head to foot. 
The prisoners, around whom was placed a guard of British sol- 
diers to prevent the Canadian Indians from murdering them, suf- 
fered from the cold that night, and the following morning, John- 
son, learning that troops were on their way from Albany and 
Schenectada to attack him, gave Mrs. Martin and her children 
permission to return, which liberty was gratefully received ; they 
were, however, plundered of some of their clothing — Jeremiah 
Martin. 

On the evening of the 18th, Gen. Robert Van Rensselaer of 
Claverack, with a body of the Claverack, Albany and Schenec- 
tada militia, and about two hundred Oneida Indians under Col. 
John Harper, in pursuit of the enemy, encamped on the hill near 
the Stanton place, in the present town of Florida, perhaps fifteen 
miles east of Johnson's encampment. — John Oslrom, who was a 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 425 

soldier present* Learning at this place that Fort Paris in Stone 
Arabia, about twenty miles north-west from the American camp, 
was to be attacked the following morning, Gen. Van Rensselaer 
sent a note to Col. John Brown, its gallant commander, to turn 
out and head the enemy at nine o'clockj and he would fall upon 
their rear. Sir John passed along the foot of the mountain and 
crossed the river on the morning of the 19th, at Keator's rift, near 
Spraker's Basin, and leaving the river above the Nose, a large 
part of his forces marched towards Stone Arabia. Col. Brown, 
a braver man than whom bore not a commission in the continen- 
tal service, left his little fortress and led his men to attack the 
foe. After marching some distance from the fort, he thought it 
possible he might be killed or captured, and lest the letter of 
Gen. Van Rensselaer should fall into the hands of the enemy, he 
dispatched a messenger with it to the fort. As this letter could 
not afterwards be found at the fort, it was conjectured, that pos- 
sibly the bearer had acted the traitor, and borne it directly to the 
enemy, as the greater part of his forces united soon after the fir- 
ing began between Brown and the advance. — Jacob Becker. 

Gen. Van Rensselear, who had an effective force nearly double 
that of the enemy, put his army in motion at the moon's rising. 
Near Fort Hunter, where he arrived before day-light and was 
joined by the Schoharie militia : the wrong road was taken for 
some little distance, w^hen Gen. V. R. uttered expressions his offi- 
cers thought unbecoming his station. The American commander 
arrived at Keator's rift soon after the enemy had passed it, but 
instead of crossing the river and seconding the movement of Col. 
Brown as he had agreed, and as a brave and prudent officer would 
have done, he remained upon the south side, where news was 
brought him by a fugitive from Brown's command, that the latter 
officer, with many of his men, was slain. Fort Paris was three 
miles north of the Mohawk, and yet Brown met the enemy nearly 
two-thirds of the way to the river, where the contest began. 
Overpowered by numbers he continued the conffict, slowly re- 

• Col. Stone erroneously states the place of Van Rensselaer's encamp- 
ment, on the night in question, to have been at Van Epps's. 



426 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

treating, expecting every moment to hear the firing in the ene- 
my's rear — but in vain. And contesting the ground inch by inch 
for some distance, he at length fell a martyr to freedom, and his 
blood, with that of more than thirty of his brave followers dyed 
the fertile fields of Stone Arabia. What loss the enemy sustained 
in this engagement is unknown, but as they were better sheltered 
by fences and trees than were the Americans, and were enabled 
to outflank, and had nearly surrounded them W'hen Brown fell, it 
is supposed their loss was not as great. — John Ostrom, and Jacob 
Becker. 

The following particulars, in addition to those above, were ob- 
tained in November, 1843, from Maj. Joseph Spraker, of Pala- 
tine. Col. Brown left Fort Paris (so called after Maj. Paris,) a 
little distance north of where the Stone Arabia churches now 
stand, on the morning of his death, with a body of levies and mi- 
litia ; and as he passed Fort Keyser, a little stockade, at which a 
small stone dwelling was inclosed — perhaps a mile south of Fort 
Paris, and about two miles distant from the river — he was joined 
by a few militiamen there assembled, making his effective force 
from 150 to 200 men. He met the enemy nearly half way from 
Fort Keyser to the river. They were discovered on the opposite 
side of a field which contained some under-brush, and which was 
partly skirted by a forest. As the Indians were observed behind 
a fence on the opposite side of the field, Capt. Casselman remon- 
strated with Brown against his leaving the covert of the fence ; 
but the hero, less prudent on this occasion than usual, ordered his 
men into the field, and they had hardly begun to cross it, before 
a deadly fire was opened upon them ; which was returned with 
spirit but far less effect, owing to the more exposed condition of 
the Americans. Brown maintained his position for a time, but 
seeing the Indians gaining his flank, he ordered a retreat ; about 
which time, (nearly 10 o'clock, A. M.,) he received a musket 
ball through the breast. The enemy pressed on in such over- 
powering numbers, as to render it impossible for his men to bear 
off his body, and the brave colonel was left to his fate. 

At the fall of their commander, some of the Americans fled to- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 427 

ward the Mohawk, and others north into the forest. Two of 
them took refuge in the dwelHrig of the late Judge Jacob Eacker, 
in the hope of defending themselves, but the house was surround- 
ed by a party of Indians, who set it on fire, and laughed at the 
shrieks of its inmates who perished in the flames. 

None of the citizens who were not in the battle, it is believed, 
were either killed or captured, they having gained one of the two 
forts, or sought safety in the woods. 

John Zielie, a captain of militia, had charge of Fort Keyser on 
that day. Geo. Spraker, father of informant, and John Waffle, 
elderly men, Joseph and Conrad Spraker, William Waffle, War- 
ner Dygert, and possibly one or two other young men, were all 
who were ready to aid Capt. Z. in the defence of his little fortress, 
when the British regulars passed near it in column, soon after 
Brown's engagement. It might easily have fallen into their 
hands, had they known the number of its defenders. The few 
men in it were, however, at the port holes, each with his gun and 
a hat full of cartridges by his side, although its commandant re- 
strained their firing from motives of policy. Informant had two 
older brothers under Col. Brown, who effected their escape after 
he fell. 

Soon after the enemy were out of sight, the four young men 
named, proceeded in the direction the firing had been heard, and 
leaping a fence into the fatal field, Joseph Spraker stood beside 
the mangled remains of the brave, ill-fated Brown. His scalp 
had been taken off so as completely to remove all the hair on his 
head : this was unusual, as only the crown scalp was commonly 
taken, but knowing his distinction and prowess, we may justly 
infer the red man's motive. He was stripped of every article of 
his clothing, except a ruffled shirt. The four young militiamen 
took the body of their fallen chief, and bore it in their arms to 
Fort Keyser. The remains of the soldiers who fell in this battle 
were all buried in one pit, and Col. Brown with them, but a day 
or two after it was opened and his remains removed to a place of 
interment near the churches. Col. Brown was of middUng sta- 
ture, with dark eyes and a fine militiry countenance: he usually 



428 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

wore glasses. He was agreeable and urbane in his manners, but 
possessed a spirit when in danger, fearless as the dashing cataract. 
He fell deeply lamented by his numerous friends, and the few 
silver-haired heroes of his acquaintance who still survive, are en- 
thusiastic in his praise. 

Col. Brown was a native of Massachusetts, and was bcR-n Oct. 
19th, 1744. On the 19th day of Oct., 1836,fft7/-six years after 
his death, arrangements having been made for the occasion, a 
monument was erected over his remains in the presence of a large 
assemblage of respectable citizens of the county, convened to 
honor the ashes of a hero. The monument was reared at the ex- 
pense of Henry Brown, Esq., of Berkshire, Mass., a son of the 
warrior, who, I regret to add, has since deceased. The following 
is the monumental inscription : 

" In Memory of Col. John Brown, 

v^^ho was killed in batde on the 19 day of October, 1780, 

at Palatine, in the county of Montgomery, 

JE. 86.'' 

After the ceremony of raising the monument, a sermon was 
preached by the Rev. Abraham Van Home, of Caughnawaga, 
and a very patriotic address delivered by G. L. Roof, Esq., of Ca- 
najoharie : portions of which I have been kindly furnished by the 
author. The following is an extract from that address : 

" Col. Brown fell in battle on the 19th day of October, 1780 ; 
the very day he reached the age of thirty-six, so that the anni- 
versary of his birth was also the day of his death. But though 
he fell thus early in life, and before he had tilled the measure of 
his fame, yet his deeds of braverj^ and patriotism will not be for- 
gotten by posterity ; and the name of Bkown will, for ages to 
come^ be held in grateful remembrance. His was that bravery, 
that quailed not before tjTanny, and that feared not death. His 
Avas that patriotism that nerves the arm of the warrior battling for 
the liberties of his country, and leads him on to the performance 
of deeds of glory." 

The forces of Col. Johnson, a part of which had crossed the 
river near Caughnawaga, destroyed all the Whig property, not 
only on the south, but on the north side, from Fort Hunter to the 
Nose : and in several instances where dwellings had been burned 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 429 

by the Indians under his command in May, and temporary ones 
rebuilt, they were also consumed. Of the latter number was that 
of Barney Wemple. After his dwelling was burnt in May, he 
went to Tribe's Hill, tore down a tory dwelling, and erected it up- 
on the ruins of his former one. — Rynier Gardifiier.*' After Brown 
fell, the enemy, scattered in small bodies, were to be seen in eve- 
ry direction plundering and burning the settlements in Stone Ara- 
bia. In the afternoon. Gen. Van Rensselaer, after being warmly 
censured for his delay by Col. Harper and several other officers, 
crossed the river at Fort Plain, and began the pursuit in earnest. 
The enemy were overtaken on the north side of the river above 
St. Johnsville, near a stockade and block-house at Klock's, just 
before night, and a smart brush took place between the British 
troops and the Americans under Col. Duboise ; in which, several 

* On the morning of the day on which the Stone Arabian battle was fought 
Fred. H. Dockstader, who lived on the "Sand Flats" in the present town of 
Mohawk, having seen the fires along the river, concealed his family and per- 
sonal effects in the woods, and then approached the Mohawk valley to gain 
a view of passing events ; thinking the enemy would confine their move- 
ments to the river settlements. As he was about to gain the desired position, 
he was surprised to see a party of Indians approaching him. He v/alk bold- 
ly up, and addressing them with confidence assured them he ■yvas their friend, 
and on his way to meet them. They proceeded with him to his house, and 
after laying him under contribution in the way of plunder, left him and his 
buildings unharmed. Before leaving, they took several of his horses, one of 
which was a favorite, although he dared not protest against their taking it. 
This party of the enemy burned the house of F. H. Dockstader's brother, 
within sight of his own, and left a war club in a conspicuous place ; as much 
as to say, we will kill the proprietor if we can catch him. 

A pleasing incident occurred at Dockstader's, illustrative of the red man's 
character. One of the Indians caught a colt that had never been rode, and 
with his belt and some cords made a kind of bridle which he put upon its 
head. The colt stood still until the Indian mounted with a bundle of plunder 
in one hand and his rifle in the other, seemingly delighted with his new mas- 
ter ; but as soon as he had made ready to set forward, and struck his heels 
against the animal, it dashed onward and reared several times, sending the 
Indian heels over head upon the ground in one direction, and his rifle and 
duds in another. Thus rid of his load, the colt stopped and looked back to 
witness the plight of the rider. The rest of the Indians laughed as though 
their sides would split, and Dockstader, who dared not laugh, expected to 
see the Indian rise and shoot the animal ; but instead of doing so, he sullen- 
ly gained his feet — picked up his portable wealth, and moved off amid the 
merry jeers of his companions. — Henry F., son of Fred. H. Dockstader. 



430 mSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

on each side were killed or wounded. Johnson was compelled to 
retreat to a peninsula in the river, where he encamped with his 
men much wearied. His situation was such that he could have 
been taken with ease. Col. Duboise, with a body of levies, took 
a station above him to prevent his proceeding up the river ; Gen. 
Van Rensselaer, with the main army, below : while Col. Harper, 
with the Oneida Indians, gained a position on the south side of 
the river, nearly opposite. The general gave express orders that 
the attack should be renewed by the troops under his own imme- 
diate command, at the rising of the moon, some hour in the night. 
Instead, however, of encamping on the ground from which the 
enemy had been driven, as a brave officer would have done, he 
fell back down the river and encamped three miles distant. The 
troops under Duboise and Harper could hardly be restrained from 
commencing the attack long before the moon arose ; but when it 
did, they waited with almost breathless anxiety to hear the rattle 
of Van Rensselaer's musketry. The enemy, who encamped on 
lands owned by the late Judge Jacob G. Klock, spiked their can- 
non, which was there abandoned ; and soon after the moon ap- 
peared, began to move forward to a fording place just above the 
residence of Nathan Christie, and not far from their encampment. 
Many were the denunciations made by the men under Duboise 
and Harper against Van Rensselaer, when they found he did not 
begin the attack, and had given strict orders that their command- 
ers should not. They openly stigmatised the general as a coward 
and traitor ; but when several hours had elapsed, and he had not 
yet made his appearance, a murmur of discontent pervaded all. 
Harper and Duboise were compelled to see the troops under John- 
son and Brant ford the river and pass off unmolested, or disobey 
the orders of their commander, when they could, unaided, have 
given them most advantageous battle. Had those brave colonels, 
at the moment the enemy were in the river, taken the responsibili- 
ty of disobeying their commander as Murphy had done three days 
before, and commenced the attack in front and rear, the conse- 
quences must have been very fatal to the retreating army, and 
the death of Col. Brown and his men promptly revenged. — Jacob 
Becker, a Schoharie militiaman. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 431 

Garret Newkirk, the prisoner who was captured on his way to 
Schoharie, effected his escape the second night after, and returned 
home unmolested. As if to cap the climax of Gen. Van Rensse- 
laer's management, he had sent an express to Fort Schuyler ; from 
whence, Capt. Walter Vrooman* (the same mentioned as being at 
the Johnstown fort in May preceding,) was dispatched with a 
company of fifty men to Oneida lake, to destroy the enemy's con- 
cealed boats. Col. Johnson, informed of the movement, as sup- 
posed, through the treachery of one of Vrooman's men, surprised 
and captured the entire command. 

It was confidently asserted in the American army, that some 
relationship by marriage existed between Gen. Van Rensselaer 
and Sir John Johnson, which induced the former to favor the es- 
cape of the latter. — Becker and Ostrom. 

The Americans took two nine pounders from Schenectada, 
which were left at Fort Plain. So much dallying took place on 
the part of the commanding officer, that the enemy, although pur- 
sued some distance on the south side of the river, were not pre- 
vented from making their escape. At a small block-house and 

* Soon after Capt. Vrooman, who was a large muscular man, (as brave as 
strong,) was taken, an Indian, claiming him as his prisoner, fastened to his 
shoulders a heavy pack, which he compelled him to carry. Those Indian 
packs were usually made of striped linsey petticoats, stolen from frontier set- 
tlers : such was the one, filled with plunder made in Stone Arabia, imposed 
on Capt. Vrooman. He had not borne it far, before he was observed by Col. 
Johnson, who enquired why he carried it? He replied that an Indian had 
placed it upon him. The colonel then drew his sword and severed its fasten- 
ings. In a short time, the owner of the pack, who was in the rear at the 
time it fell, came up, and in anger replaced it, with a threat of death if he 
did not continue to carry it. It had been restored but a little while, when Sir 
John again observed the American captain (who was a fine specimen of the 
early Dutch,) under the ungainly load, and once more cut its bands ; placing 
a guard around him to prevent his receiving any injury or insult from the red 
warrior. In a few minutes, the latter reappeared with uplifted tomahawk, 
threatening vengeance ; but finding his approach to the prisoner prevented by 
bristling bayonets, he sullenly fell back : he, however, continued to watch 
for a favorable opportunity all the way to Canada, to execute his threat. 
While crossing a rapid stream on a log shortly after, this Indian fell off with 
his pack on, and would have been drowned, but for the timely aid of his com- 
rades. On arriving at Montreal, Capt. Vrooman was incarcerated in prison 
and did not see the sun again for two long years. — Volkert Voorhees. 



4S2 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

stockade between Fort Plain and Fort Herkimer, called Fort 
Windecker, after a German, near whose house it was erected, 
(which house stood just above Grouse's Lock, on the Erie Canal,) 
seven men and a boy killed an Indian and took nine prisoners, 
several of w^hom, worn out with constant exertions, purposely 
surrendered. They stated that if the Americans had followed 
up their advantages, Johnson and most of his men must have 
been captured. Forty or fifty horses belonging to citizens of 
Schoharie were recovered, and either taken back by the sol- 
diers at this time, or reclaimed in the Mohawk valley the follow- 
ing winter, by some half a dozen men who went from Schoharie 
on purpose. — Jacob Becker and David Zeh. 

In the pursuit of Johnson from Schoharie, the militia being de- 
ficient in knapsacks, carried bread on poles. Holes being made 
in the loaves, a pole was passed through several, and borne be- 
tween two soldiers, who also added a loaf at each end. — Mattice 
Ball. 

In the summer of 1843, I obtained from John Ostrom, a M'or- 
thy citizen of Glen, some additional particulars relating to this 
invasion. Mr. Ostrom was a militiaman under Gen. Van Rensse- 
laer, in the pursuit of Sir John Johnson. "When the Americans 
arrived at the Nose, on the enemy's trail in the morning, Col. 
Brown was then engaged with the latter not two miles distant, 
and they heard the firing, but made no attempt to cross the 
river where the enemy had crossed. When the skirmish took 
place between Col. Duboise and Col. Johnson, the reason assigned 
by Gen, Van Rensselaer, for not following up the success gained, 
and leading his men to the attack, was, its being so near night. 
Henry Ostrom, a captain of militia, from the vicinity of Albany, and 
father of informant, to whose company the latter was attached ; 
surprised at the indifference of the general, asked him if he did not 
intend to prosecute the attack. He replied that it was so near 
night his men would not march. Capt. Ostrom, still remonstrat- 
ing with his commander, for what he considered a neglect of duty, 
finally received orders to lead his own men forward ; which he 
did with promptness, to the surprise of the general, who, having 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 433 

mistaken his mettle, countermanded the order after the company 
had proceeded several rods. Why Van Rensselaer chose to fall 
Lack down the river three miles to encamp, remains among the 
mysteries of the past. 

Capt. Duncan, an officer under Sir John Johnson, in this inva- 
sion, returned after the war closed to the residence of his father, 
situated a few miles from Schenectada. His return having been 
kept private for a little time, he invited in several of his former ac- 
quaintances, some of whom he had opposed in arms, of which 
number was Capt. Ostrom. On this occasion he informed his 
guests, while speaking of Johnson's invasion now under considera- 
tion, that after the skirmish with Col. Duboise, the British officers 
held a consultation, at which it was agreed to surrender the whole 
army, worn out with fatigues as it was, prisoners of war ; but 
that General Van Rensselaer did not give them a chance. Capt. 
Duncan finding himself kindly treated by his old neighbors, re- 
mained in the state. 

But to return to the Schoharie valley which we left in ruins. 
Fearing an invasion, considerable grain had been stacked in the 
woods and by-places remote from dwellings the preceding harvest, 
in the hope that if he did appear, possibly those stacks might es- 
cape the fire-brand. Andrew Loucks had two stacks thus con- 
cealed, as had also Chairman Ball, which were not burnt. 
Loucks had very fortunately let out his hogs to live on acorns, 
and they, too, were spared. Some individuals lost at this time 
from eight to ten horses, comparatively few of which were reco- 
vered. Mr. Ball lost nine. — Jlridrew Loucks mid Peter Ball. 

On his return to the Middle fort, Col. Vrooman found himself 
once more its lawful commander, Maj. Woolsey having taken 
French leave during his absence. Col. Vrooman was often from 
home on public business during the winter months of the war ; 
and sometime after the destruction of Schoharie — being a mem- 
ber of the state legislature, he went to Poughkeepsie, where it 
was about to convene. Among other members. Col. Vrooman 
was an invited guest at an evening party. On his arrival at the 
place of mirth, almost the first person who caught his eye was 



434 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Maj. Woolsey. He laid off his loose clothing, and very soon af- 
ter sought an interview with his military friend, but to his sur- 
prise, he found the latter had suddenly left the house ; nor did he 
reappear that night. Recollecting their last interview near the 
magazine, he possibly did not care about meeting the Dutch co- 
lonel. — Angelica Vrooman. 

Where now stands the dwelling, so long known as Spraker^s 
Tavern on the Mohawk turnpike, stood a small house in the Revo- 
lution owned by one of the Tribes' Hill Bowens, and occupied by 
John Van Loan — whose politices were of a suspicious character. 
On a certain occasion, two tories, Albert Van Be Warkcn, and a 
man named Frazee entered the settlement in the character of spies, 
and were traced to the dwelling of Van Loan ; where they were 
concealed in the daytime. A small party of patriots having as- 
sembled under Capt. John Zielie for the occasion, approached 
the house one evening to kill or capture the emissaries of the 
enemy ; and discovered them through a window at supper. Be- 
coming apprised by some means of the proximity of armed men, 
the spies found means to leave the house and flee to a barrack of 
hay, which stood between that and the hill. Around the bar- 
rack Capt. Zielie stationed his men to prevent the escape of the 
fugities, and await the return of day. As light began to dawn, 
the rascals sprang from their concealment and ran at the top of 
their speed. Frazee, in attempting to pass Adam Empie, a sol- 
dier present, was thrust through with a bayonet and killed; 
while his comrade, more fortunate, although a volley of bullets 
whistled around him, fled up the mountain and escaped. 

The tory dwelling above mentioned, was burnt by the enemy 
under Sir John Johnson, who crossed the river a few rods below 
it, on the morning Col. Brown fell ; from what motive is un- 
known. — Joseph Spraker. 

When the war of the Revolution commenced, three brothers, 
William, John, and Philip Crysler, who lived in new Dorlach ; 
with their brother Adam, who lived in Schoharie, took up arras 
with the foes of their country, and went to Canada in 1777. As 
it began to be doubted by many of the tories in 1780, whether 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 435 

Britain could subdue the states, Philip, whose family still lived in 
New Dorlach, and who desired to remove it to Canada, had a 
party assigned him near Harpersfield to aid in its removal. It 
is supposed they arrived near the settlement a day or two before 
the army reached Schoharie ; and were concealed until Seth's 
Henry and possibly some others met them in an appointed place, 
and communicated intelligence of the proceedings in Schoharie, 
that the movement of Crysler's destructives should not precede the 
general irruption. However that may be, it is certain Seth's 
Henry, who was at the burning of Schoharie, was on the follow- 
ing day also of the hostile party in New Dorlach. 

The enemy, consisting of eighteen Indians and three tories, 
made their appearance just after noon at the dwelhng of Michael 
Merckley,* where Hiram Sexton now resides. Merckley was at 
this time a widower. His family consisted of three daughters, 
three sons, and a lad named Fox. The daughters were all 
young women; one was married to Christopher Merckley, and 
lived in Rhinebeck, a small settlement a few^ miles from New 
Dorlach — the other two were at home. The oldest son had gone 
to Canada three years before, the second was then at Schoharie, 
and the youngest, a lad about thirteen years old, and Fox, a boy 
near his age, -were also at home. Frederick, a brother of Mi- 
chael Merckley, then resided less than a mile east of the latter. 
He had an only daughter named Catharine, who by repute was 
the fairest young lady in the Schoharie settlements. He also 
had several sons. Christian, (from whom some of these particu- 
lars were obtained) about seventeen years old, who was then at 
home; Martin, a younger brother, who had been sent to his 
uncle Martin's about noon of that day to borrow a currier's 
knife, and possibly one or two others. On arriving at Merckley's, 
the enemy captured his two daughters, the two boys, and their 
cousin Martin who chanced still to be there. 

About three-fourths of a mile west of Michael Merckley, then 
resided Bastian France, where his son Henry now resides, a lit- 
tle distance from the road, which ran much as it does at the pre- 

• This name was formerly writen Mercle, and pronounced Mericle. 



436 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

sent day. As the country was new, however, it was shaded 
more by trees, and not bounded by fences as at present. Mr. 
France had eight children. His two oldest sons, young men, had 
gone to Schoharie on the 17th, to learn how matters stood in 
that valley, and were in the Lower fort when the enemy passed 
it. Christopher, the oldest of those brothers, (who was the first 
white child born in the town of Seward,) and Miss Catharine 
Merckley, had plighted hymenial vows, and were to have been 
married two weeks from the day of her death. Four other sons 
were at home — John, fourteen years old, Henry, thirteen, and two 
younger : and two daughters — Betsey, a young lady of seventeen, 
and a little girl perhaps ten years of age. At the road, near the 
residence of France, resided Henry Haines, a tory. West creek, 
a tributary of Cobelskill, passed near his house, and on this he 
had erected a small grist-mill — the first erected in the town of 
Seward. Philip Hoffman, an old gentleman, lived not far from 
Haines, where Klock now resides. 

Mr. Merckley, at whose house the Indians first appeared, had 
been to visit his married daughter at Rhinebeck settlement, as had 
also Catharine Merckley and Betsey France, all on horseback. 
Mr. Merckley returned home but a little in advance of the girls, 
and approaching his house he discovered the Indians about 
the door, but conscious of his kind feelings towards them, 
and zeal in the royal cause, while in the act of dismounting from 
his horse with perfect unconcern, he was shot down, killed, and 
scalped. It was at his house, it will be remembered, the party 
were harbored who captured his neighbor, William Hynds, and 
family, the preceding July. When the girls approached his mill, 
Haines came out, and addressing Catharine, enquired, " Wlcat is 
the news ?" The reply was, " Betsey ivill tell you ; I am in a 
great hurry to get home.'' Miss France had reined up just above 
the mill, to cross the creek, between the road and her father's 
dwelling, as her beautiful companion rode forward, evidently ex- 
cited from some cause, to meet her impending fate. Possibly she 
had heard the gun fired at her uncle, and anticipated danger. 
She had but little more than a mile to go after parting with her 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



437 



young friend. The road, by a bend from Haines' mill, swept 
along the verge of a rise of ground on the north side of West 
creek, leaving the flats southwest of the road. The ground is ele- 
vated in front of the Merckley place, and just beyond it the road 
turns off, nearly east, towards Hyndsville. Miss Merckley was ri- 




MURDER OF CATHARINE MERCKLEY. 
ding a noble gray horse, and as she drew near her uncle's dwel- 
ling she saw the Indians and tories about the door, several of whom 
called on her to stop; but her eye, no doubt, caught a view of the 
mangled remains of her uncle, and instead of reining, she urged 
her horse up the acclivity at a quick gallop. At the instant she 
was opposite to him, Seth's Henry leveled his rifle and fired at her, 
and as she did not immediately fall, he snatched a rifle from the 
hands of another Indian and fired again. The horse, as though 
conscious of danger, and the value of his burden, increased his 
speed, but the fatal messenger had done its errand — the lovely vic- 
tim pitched forward and fell to the earth, writhing in the agonies 
of death. 



438 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

She was shot through the body evidently by the first bullet, as 
it had passed in at the right side. She survived but a few mi- 
nutes, and expired clasping her hands firmly upon the wound. 
The tragic death of this young lady, so justly celebrated for her 
personal charms, was witnessed from the house by her brother and 
cousins. Her murderer, as he tore off her bleeding scalp, struck 
with the beauty and regularity of her features, remarked — " She 
was too handsome a paleface to kill, and had I knoivn the squaw 
had such long black hair, I would not have shot her.'''' The horse 
ran home, after losing his rider, and the bloody saddle shadowed 
forth the tidings her friends might expect to hear, of their dear 
relative's fate. The family instantly fled, and secreted themselves 
in the woods, where they remained until the following day. 

Bastian France, who was then advanced in life, and quite in- 
firm, was in his chamber making shoes. Hearing the firing at 
Merckley's, he cume down and told his family (his wife was then 
visiting at the house of Haines near by) he felt alarmed and tak- 
ing his gun, said he would go through the woods south of his 
house and learn the cause of disturbance. He had not gone half 
way to Merckley's, when he discovered several Indians proceeding 
directly to his own dwelling. Knowing he could not reach it be- 
fore they did, he resolved to proceed on foot, by a circuitous route, 
to the lower Schoharie fort for assistance, distant eighteen or twen- 
ty miles, and return as soon as possible. He arrived there late in 
the evening, greatly fatigued, and found that all the troops which 
could be spared were preparing to follow the enemy to the Mo- 
hawk. It was late the following day when he again arrived at 
his own dwelling. 

Two Indians reached the residence of France in advance of 
their fellows, at which time the children were standing on the 
stoop looking for the cause of alarm. As they approached the 
house, a large watch- dog ran out and attacked them, which one 
halted to shoot. The other approached the children and led out 
John and Henry, the two oldest boys at home, towards a pile of 
wood to be killed. As the Indian who had shot the dog came up, 
John was handed over to liim by his captor to be murdered for the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 439 

British value of his scalp. The Indian aimed a blow with his 
tomahawk at his head, which the latter warded off with his arm. 
As the second blow which brought him to the ground was raised, 
Henry saw the other children running off, and followed them. 
Seeing his captor start in pursuit, lest he should be shot down, he 
sprang round a corner of the house and stood still. The Indian 
turned the corner and took him, with the other children, back to 
the stoop. 

Without waiting to scalp the victim, the Indian who had felled 
John, left him and ran across the creek to the house of Hoffman, 
but the latter v»rith his wife, having heard the gun which was fired 
at France's dog, took seasonable alarm, fled into the woods and 
escaped. As the children returned to the door with their captor, 
some half a dozen more of the enemy arrived; and proceedino- to 
the cellar, helped themselves to several pies, and such other food 
as it contained, which they took up stairs, placed on a table in 
the centre of a room and greedily devoured. Mrs. France hear- 
ing the noise, hastened home to protect her children or share their 
fate, just as the Indians were surrounding the table. When Henry 
was taken back, he went to his wounded brother, who could still 
sit up, and attempted to raise him on his feet ; but he was unable 
to stand. Henry then told him to crawl under the oven where the 
dog usually had slept, but the hatchet had done its bidding, and 
he was too weak. When his mother arrived at the house and be- 
held the situation of her dying son, who was then past speech, her 
maternal sympathy was aroused. Her little daughter, cryino-, 
clung to her knees and besought her to save John from the cruel 
Indians ; and she in tears entreated them to carry him into the 
house, or spare him from further injury. This they refused to do, 
but promised not to harm her other children. 

While his captor was eating, Henry was compelled to stand 
near him, by whom he was closely eyed. Twice he walked to 
the door, and on turning round, observed the stealthy eye of the 
red man fixed upon him and he walked back ; he thus lulled the 
suspicion of his keeper, and the third time he reached the door, 
perceiving he was not watched, he sprang out of the house, ran 

29 



440 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

round it and fled towards the woods. When about twenty rods 
distant, he looked back and saw several Indians turn a corner of 
the house, and instantly falling to the ground he was gratified to 
observe, that as they scattered in pursuit, none started in the di- 
rection he had taken. From behind some old logs he watched 
their motions, and as soon as they had returned to the dwelling, 
he gained the adjoining woods in safety. 

A few minutes after Henry had eluded the vigilance of his new 
master, the Indian who had gone to Hoffman's returned, was quite 
angry because the former had escaped, and instantly dispatched 
and scalped John. Philip Crysler lived in the direction of Hoff- 
man, and when the murderer returned, the former, disguised as an 
Indian, came with him. He was not known to the family at the 
time, although they observed he had hive eyes, (the eyes and hair 
of a blooded Indian are almost invariably black,) but they after- 
wards learned from a sister of Crysler, that his wife, hearing the 
gun fired at the dog of France, told her husband to put on his In- 
dian dress, run over and save the France family by all means, as 
she was under such great obligations to them. They had almost 
wholly supported herself and family for three years. To the 
counsels of the Uuc-eyed Indian, as Crysler was called, the party 
reluctantly yielded ; and leaving the rest of the family and most 
of their effects undisturbed, soon after withdrew. The Indian who 
had been foiled by Henry, seemed most dissatisfied ; and snatch- 
ino" a brand of fire he ran to the barn and thrust it into the hay. 
Another Indian drew it out and threw it away, but some coals 
must have remained, as the barn and its contents were soon after 
in flames. Two large barracks, each an hundred feet in circum- 
ference, standing near the barn, were also consumed. Two' of the 
Indians at the house of France could speak Low Dutch ; Mrs. 
France begged of them to intercede for the lives of her offspring. 

The invaders went as far west as the dwelling of Haines, cap- 
turing several of his slaves. Haines went to Canada himself at a 
subsequent period. As soon as the Indians were out of sight, Mrs. 
France carried the body of her murdered son into the house, his 
warm blood trickling upon her feet ; and then, with Betsey and 
three younger children, concealed herself in the woods. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 441 

Henry France, after gaining the forest back of his father's 
house, ran, by a circuitous route, towards the dwelling of William 
Spurnhuyer, who resided not far from Christian Merckley. In the 
mean time, the enemy, with their plunder, accompanied by the fa- 
mily of Crysler, after burning the dwelling and barn of Michael 
Merckley, set forward on their journey. On arriving at the house 
of Spurnhuyer, who had gone with his family to a place of great- 
er security but a day or two before, they made a halt. Spurnhuy- 
er had left a young heifer near the dwelling, which was shot to 
serve the party for food. When the gun was fired at the amimal, 
young France was not in sight, though near, but was running di- 
rectly toward that place, and supposing it fired at himself, chang- 
ed his course, nor did he know at what the gun was discharged, 
until the return of Martin Merckley, some time after. Thus had 
this lad a third time escaped the tomahawk. He then went back 
and secreted himself, about sun-down, near the creek, a few rods 
from his father's dwelling. He had been but a short time in this 
place when Mrs. Haines, who was going past with a milk-pail, 
discovered him in the bushes, and told him where he could find his 
mother. Procuring blankets at the house the weeping group re- 
turned to sleep in the woods, fearing a visit from the bears and 
wolves less than they did that of the armed savage. The family 
lived in the woods until the third day following their disaster, when 
they went to Schoharie. 

Spurnhuyer's house, after being plundered, was set on fire, and, 
with his barn consumed. The invaders had proceeded only a mile 
or two from the settlement, when the two boys cried to return. 
The executioner of the party halted with them, and soon after 
overtook his comrades with their bloody scalps. Berkley, a tory 
present, from the vicinity of Albany, told the Misses Merckley 
that their brother and young Fox would not have been killed had 
they not cried. Indians never fancy crying children. It was not 
known in New Dorlach that those boys were killed, until a year 
or two afterwards, when the fact was communicated by a letter 
from the Merckley girls to their friends. Persons who visited the 
spot near the mountain south of their father's, designated as the 



442 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

place where the boys were murdered, found bones scattered over 
the ground, wild beasts having no doubt eaten the flesh that once 
covered them. The party journeyed directly to Canada by the 
usual southwestern route, and as the weather was then cold, the 
suffering of the prisoners was very severe. They were greatly 
straightened for food on the way, and putrid horse-flesh, fortunate- 
ly found in the path, was considered a luxury, and doubtless saved 
some of them from starving. Martin Merckley was compelled to 
run the gantlet, and was beaten and buflfeted a great distance. Pri- 
soners captured in the spring or fall, when the Indians were con- 
gregated in villages, usually suffered more than those taken in 
midsummer. As the Merckley girls were then orphans, and their 
father's personal property all destroyed, they accepted offers of 
marriage, and both remained in Canada. 

On the day following their massacre, the remains of John 
France were buried by Henry Haines, Sen., and those of Mr. 
Merckley and his charming neice, by Mr. Haines, Michael Fri- 
mire, and Christopher France, Miss M.'s intended husband. Sad, 
indeed, must have been the feelings of the young lover, while per- 
forming this most melancholy duty. Few were the witnesses pre- 
sent ; no funeral knell told the distant neighbor that death was 
abroad ; the ceremony was brief and informal. No long proces- 
sion followed those mangled corpses to measured steps, preceded 
by the man of God in sacerdotal robes ; yet one there was whose 
sorrowinsc came from the heart. A few rough boards were laid 
in the " narrow house" which had been hastily dug a little dis- 
tance east of where they had fallen, and blooming youth and 
parental age were placed side by side in it, and quicky buried. 
A few years ago their remains were taken up, placed in a cof- 
fin, and funeral services performed over them ; after which they 
were deposited in the family burying ground, on the Frederick 
Merckley place, where a marble slab may now be seen with the 
following inscription : 

" In Memory of Catharine Marcley and Michael Marcley, 
who was [were] killed by the Indians, Oct. 18, 17S0." 

Nothing on the stone indicates their ages or consanguinity : she 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 443 

was about 18 ; and her uncle, probably, 45 or 50 years old. Af- 
ter young France was engaged to Miss Merckley, he gave her, 
agreeable to custom, a pair of silver shoe-buckles. These Seth's 
Henry left upon her feet, and they were returned to the lover. 

It has been a mystery to many in Schoharie that Michael 
Merckley, who was the avowed friend of royalty, should thus 
have been killed, his property destroyed, and his family broken up. 
The following circumstance reveals the secret. A short time pre- 
vious to the Revolution, a daughter of Philip Crysler (then in her 
teens) was living in the family of one Barnhard, in the capacity 
of a hired girl. While there, a son of Michael Merckley several 
times visited 4ier, about which time she became gravis. This fact 
coming to the knowledge of her parents, they desired her to fix 
paternity on young Merckley and compel a marriage. She was 
taken before Judge Brown, then a justice of the peace, Avho, hav- 
ing previously been apprized of all the circumstances in the case, 
told the girl the nature of an oath, the criminality of its being 
falsely rendered, and what the future consequences might be. He 
then administered the oath, and the honors of paternity were 
awarded Barnhard. This affair caused a lasting hatred between 
the two families ; and when Crysler obtained the direction of a 
party of Indians, there can remain little doubt but what some of 
them were found willing, in anticipation of plunder, to share his 
prejudices and gratify his savage propensities ; for such we must 
call the inclinations of those who joined the enemy, went to Ca- 
nada, and from choice came back repeatedly, to imbrue their 
hands in the blood of their former neighbors and relatives. 

Many of the settlers, tories as well as whigs, concealed their 
effects in the war ; and it is said that Philip Crysler had concealed 
part of his. As old Mr. Hoffman and his wife were inoffensive 
people, and did not meddle with politics, it was supposed from 
the attempt to kill them at the time of his removal, and of their 
massacre the next season, that it was in consequence of the fact, 
that a girl, who had once lived with Hoffman, had discovered and 
appropriated to her own use, some of the hidden property of 
Crysler. Trifling circumstances were construed into plausible pre- 



444 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

texts too often in the Revolution — as, in fact, they will be, from 
the nature of things, in all civil wars — for the perpetration of the 
most heinous and revolting cruelties. The reason is obvious: 
when all laws are disregarded and set at defiance, the baser pas- 
sions of the human breast triumph over virtue and social order; 
and crime — 

" Stalks abroad at noonday, 

Nor does she cease at midnight to destroy.*" 

Nothing of importance transpired in the Schoharie valley that 
year, after the invasion of Sir John Johnson. The loss at that 
time to the citizens seems almost incalculable. Of the cue hun- 
dred and tldrty-four buildings, said by Judge Brown to have been 
burned in Schoharie county during the war, the greater part were 
consumed at this time. Among all the houses burnt in the coun- 
ty, I do not remember to have heard of a single log tenement : 
the citizens were comfortably situated in good framed dwellings, 
with large barns (which the Dutch are celebrated for erecting) 
abundantly filled. Schoharie had constantly supplied not only 
her own citizens and soldiers with wheat, but had furnished large 
quantities for the support of American troops at other stations : 
but now, by the most rigid economy, the remaining supply could 
hardly have been expected to subsist the citizens until new crops 
returned. Some families were compelled to take up temporary 
residences abroad, while others set about erecting such dwellings 
as their crippled means would allow. That the destruction of the 
Schoharie settlements that season was properly considered in oth- 
er colonies at the time, the following extract of a letter from Pre- 
sident Madison, dated at Philadelphia, Nov. 14, 1780, (which I 
find in the Albany Evening Journal of Nov. 30, 1841,) will clear- 
ly show. After alluding to the difficulty of procuring supplies of 
wheat and flour for the Army, he adds : 

" The inroads of the enemy on the frontiers of New York have 

• The occurrences which took place in New Dorlach were told the author 
in 1837, by Henry, son of Bastian France ; the wife of Tunis Vrooman, and 
daughter of Ernest Fretz ; Henry, a son of Wni. Hynds, and Christian, a 
ton of Fred. Merckley, corroborated by others. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 445 

been most fatal to us in this respect. They have almost totally 
ruined that fine wheat country, which was able, and from the en- 
ergy of their government, was likely to supply magazines of flour, 
both to the main army and the northwestern posts. The settle- 
ment of Schoharie, which alone was able to furnish, according to 
a letter from Gen. Washington, eighty thousand bushels of grain 
for public use, has been totally laid in ashes." 

Nor was the great loss of grain, dwellings, stock, &c., the on- 
ly one to be deplored in Schoharie. The paper currency of the 
country, which had increased by the year 1780 to the enormous 
sum of 200,000,000 dollars, had become nearly worthless. Of 
this trash, some of the Schoharie farmers had large amounts; 
mostly taken in payment for the products of the soil, for quite or 
nearly its pretended value. Some who had been holding on to it 
in the hope that it would become more valuable, or because they 
found it difficult as a leech to shake off, had the mortification to 
learn, that from fifty to sixty dollars continental money would 
command in 1780 but one single dollar in specie. An old soldier 
informed the author, that he once sent an eight dollar continental 
bill to buy a quart of cider, and received a two dollar hill, Rhode 
Island currency, in change. At a later period, an officer of his 
acquaintance once paid seventy dollars of continental money for a 
single mug of flip. At the close of the war, it could hardly 
have been considered of any value, except for cigar or lamp- 
lighters. 

To give the reader an idea of the currency of which I have so 
often spoken, I give the facsimile of a continental note, and the 
vignettes of others. In selecting mottos for vignettes, care was 
taken to get brief Latin sentences, which should be characteristic 
of the position of this country with England ; and would be most 
likely to stimulate patriotic sentiments and enlist the feelings 
of Americans in the popular cause. The significant devices on 
the bills generally proved an index to the sentiments prevaihng at 
their date. The back of the notes contained the amount of the 
same, with the name and residence of the printers, and some sim- 
ple device, as that of a leaf, a vine, or an Indian bow. The lat- 
ter appears on the back of the note, from which the following cut 



446 



fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 



was engraved. Some of the continental notes contained water- 
marks, only to be seen by holding them up to the light. Many 
of the vignettes also contained a colored mark of some kind. 



^iMBSMMmmSTmiM^Wi 




Sixtjj 



^o32PC23 



^r/us Bill enPittes 
f/^ Bearer to receive 
Sixty SpanilK mill 
ed Dollars, or 
P/ih Value t hereof in 
Gold or Silver, ac- 
cording t:o a, Refolu- 
don lia.^s,ij ^ Qon- 
grefd atPffLCaicCfifiia^ 
Se/it. 26t^ ^77^' 




XX 2)0^^e^^^. 



Lo, 



The vignette of this bill is the emblem of a globe surrounded 
by the motto — " The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice." A 
quotation from the Psalms of David, showing the confidence of 
the states in the God of battles. 

This device, a'circular chain, 
bearing on each link the name 
of a state, is an admirable em- 
blem of their union, and im- 
plies that while it remains un- 
broken, no foreign power can 
destroy its central government. 
This note, Two Thirds of a 
Dollar, is dated Feb. 17, 1776, 
and in a device upon the back 
is the commendable caution, 
" Mind your business" 




AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



447 





This is the vignette of a Six Dollar 
JVote, dated Feb. 17, 1776. It repre- 
sents a beaver gnawing a tree. This 
sagacious animal constructs its dams 
and dwellings, by cutting down trees 
with its teeth : a slow but sure process. 
The motto over it is — " By persevee- 
ING." Saying in effect to the colonists : 
persist and your labors shall be crowned 
with success. 

This is the vignette of a Five Dollar 
JYote, of New York currency, dated 
March 5, 1776. It represents a candle- 
stick with thirteen burners, to denote the 
number of states. The motto signifies, 
" One fire and to the same purpose." 
Implying that the states were all alive to 
a sense of their just rights. 

Here is the vignette of a Five Dol- 
lar Mte, dated May 9, 1776. It shows 
a thorn tree, with a hand grasping it. 
The motto says — "Sustain or abstain." 
This device, at that period, represents 
the colonies assaying in effect to Great 
Britain, Pass laws to 'protect, or none 
to affect us. 



This device, a contest between an 
eagle and a stork, is from a Three Dol- 
lar Mte, dated July 22, 1776. The 
stork represents the colonies struggling 
against the superior force of the moth- 
er country. The motto encourages by 
saying — " The result is uncertain." 



448 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 




Here is the vignette of an Eight 
Dollar JYote, also dated July 22, 1776. 
It contains a harp, surrounded by the 
motto, " Large things are consonant 
WITH SMALL ONES." As the Strings of 
a harp must all be in tune to give 
music ; so the states, with diversified 
interests and opinions, must be guided 
by wisdom to unite and harmonize 
them for the general good. 

This device, on a Half Dollar JVote, da- 
ted Aug. 13, 1776, is a most interesting 
and significant one. It is that of a hand 
planting a young tree. Its motto — " For 
Posterity," shows the duty of practising 
disinterested henevolence ; in struggling to 
establish a government which will extend 
its greatest benefits to future generations. 

The vignette of this note for Four Dol- 
lars, dated Jan. 14, 1779, represents a 
swine encountering a spear ; and de- 
manding, as he received it, " Death, or 
Life with Decency." 



This note for Eighty Dollars is also 
dated Jan. 14, 1779, and bears the device 
of a majestic oak tree. Around it are the 
words, " It shall Flourish through Ages 
OF Ages." Prophetic allusion is here 
made to the establishment and perpetuity 
of a repubhcan government. Heaven 
grant the prediction may be fully verified, 



and that the worms of faction may ever die before reaching the 





AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 449 

roots of liherfy's tree : planted by oppression and nourished by 
the best blood of the land. 

This little device, which appears on a note for 
One Shilling, New York currency, dated Aug. 
13, 1776, (on which are the words, " 'Tis death 
to coimterfeit") is truly expressive. It repre- 
sents incense rising from an altar, and over it 
the motto — " Not without God." 

Many important events transpired in the United States, in 1780, 
to hearten or dispirit the American patriot. On the 13th day of 
May, Charleston, S. C. then in the command of Gen. Lincoln, 
fell into the hands of the British with nearly five thousand men, 
and four hundred cannon. In June 5000 men under Gen. Knip- 
hausen, entered New-Jersey, and committed many acts of violence. 
On the 10th day of July, Admiral M. de Ternay sent by the French 
goverment, with seventeen armed vessels and several transports, 
arrived at Newport, R. L, bringing six thousand French troops, 
under the Count de Rochambeau, to aid us in our struggle for 
freedom. The arrival of these allies was greeted by the citizens 
with every demonstration of joy. On the 16th of August, the 
American army under the command of Gen. Gates met the British 
at Camden, one hundred and twenty miles north-west of Charles- 
ton, S. C, under Lord Cornwallis ; at which meeting the laurels 
of Saratoga were transformed for the American commander, to 
drooping willows. Gates, with his militia, retreated before the 
successful British troops, while the brave Gen. De Kalb, second in 
command, with a body of Continental troops who shared his spirit, 
withstood the repeated assaults of the whole British army until he 
fell covered Vv'ith wounds and glory. Congress resolved at the 
time to erect a monument to the memory of this noble German 
at Annapolis, which has not yet been done. 

In September, an attempt was made by Gen. Benedict Arnold 
to surrender the fortress of West Point by treachery, to Sir Henry 
Clinton, which transaction with its interesting details, will be 
found in another part of this work, under a sketcii of the life of 
David Williams, one of the captors of Maj. Andre. 



( 450 ) 



CHAPTER XV. 



The events of 1781, opened with an unpleasant occurrence. 
The sufferings of the soldiers had been very severe, added to which 
some had been detained in service beyond the term of their en- 
listment, while all were in arrears of pay for their services. In 
the evening of the first day of January, the troops of the Penn- 
sylvania line stationed at Morristown, New Jersey, numbering 
1300, paraded under arms — determined to march to Philadelphia 
and demand from Congress immediate redress. Their officers 
endeavored by persuasion to lull their murmurs and disperse them 
to their quarters, but to no purpose — although one was killed and 
several wounded. Gen. Wayne, in front of these men, cocked 
his pistols to compel obedience to his commands, but in an instant 
an hundred guns were leveled at his breast. " We love and re- 
spect you," said the malcontents, " but fire and you are a dead 
man." Declaring their intention of not going over to the ene- 
my, they elected temporary officers — and marched off in a body 
for Princeton. Several agents sent by Sir Henry Clinton to 
win them to the British interest, were handed over by the re- 
volters to the Americans, who executed them as spies. Commit- 
tees from Congress and the Legislature of Pennsylvania, met them 
at Princeton, paid part of their arrears in specie^ and they return- 
ed to their duty. This mutiny was followed by one of less con- 
sequence in the troops of New Jersey, which was quelled and the 
ringleaders instantly executed. 

Early in the year 1781, a block -house was erected on Mr. 
Houck's land in Kneiskern's dorf, near the present residence of 
George Taylor, and picketed in. A similar one was constructed 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 451 

about the same time in Hartman's dorf. A block-house, similar 
to the one called Fori-Plain, was erected that spring near the 
dwelling of Jacob Shafer in Cobelskill, about half a mile east of 
Cobelskill village. This block-house was erected by Capt. Du- 
boise of Catskill, and was called Fort Duboise. It was surround- 
ed by a deep moat, which was partially filled with water from a 
brook running near. About half an acre of ground, on which 
stood the dwelling of Shafer, was embraced in the inclosure, 
which was also surrounded by pickets. The gate or principal 
entrance was on the eastern side. This fort, with a small earri- 
son, was for some time under the command of Capt. Duboise. 

Early in the spring of this year, several minor transactions of 
interest occurred in the Saratoga settlements. In the present 
town of Clifton-Park resided one Fillmore, a lieutenant of militia, 
who possessed a fearless spirit. He was engaged, in the proper 
season, in making maple-sugar, and usually boiled all night, re- 
turning home in the morning to be relieved by a daughter, until 
he had foddered his cattle and taken breakfast. On going to the 
woods she was instructed, in case she saw any suspicious looking 
persons, to give no signs of fear, but communicate the discovery 
to her father as soon after as prudence allowed. One very foggy 
morning, when Miss Fillmore was in attendance at the sugar- 
bush, an individual passed it, without seeing her, going in the di- 
rection of a retired dwelling occupied by a widow lady. As soon 
as the strange figure was out of sight, she ran home to apprise 
her father of the discovery. She described the man to be a sus- 
picious looking person, having a gun and a hairy 'pack. 

Lieut. Fillmore, rightly suspecting the visitant to be the noto- 
rious Jo. Bettys, got two of his neighbors, named Perkins and 
Corey, to accompany him, and all well armed proceeded unob- 
served to the widow's house, one of the three going upon the 
back side of it, to prevent his egress. The other two burst open 
the door, and disclosed the object of search at the breakfast table. 
He had imprudently seated himself with his back toward the door, 
and his rifle lying across the table. The instant an entrance was 
forced, the lieutenant seized the villain by the collar and drew him 



452 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

from the table, as he was reaching for his trusty piece. He was 
soon overpowered by the three miUtiamen, and tightly bound. 
Before he started for Albany, he desired to smoke, and was par- 
tially loosened to afford him an opportunity. He went to the 
fire-place to light his pipe, and was noticed to cast something in 
the fire. One of his captors snatched it from the live embers, and 
found it to be a silver bullet which screwed together ; inside of 
which was a message to Sir Henry Clinton from an officer in Ca- 
nada, written in figures. On the testimony contained within the 
bullet, Bettys was convicted and hung at Albany as a spy. Con- 
sidering his desperate character, the enterprise of Lieut Fillmore 
and his companions in arresting him, was one of the most daring 
performed in the whole war. 

When the arrest of Bettys became known in the Ballston set- 
tlement, Maj. Mitchell enjoined secrecy of the affair, rightly con- 
jecturing that he had not traversed the northern forests of New- 
York, alone. A Mrs. Camp or Van Camp, a widow living in the 
neighborhood, had a son in the British service, who it was thought, 
might possibly have accompanied Bettys. The arrest of the lat- 
ter having been kept close during the day ; Kenathy Gordon, a 
sergeant, was entrusted by Maj. Mitchell with the search to be 
made the same night. Attended by John Svveatman and several 
other fearless neighbors, properly armed, young Gordon gained 
access to the house of Mrs. Camp after bed- time, and enquired 
for her son. She declared her ignorance of his whereabouts, pre- 
tended to be highly incensed at having armed men enter her 
dwelling and disturb the family at midnight, and still more on be- 
ing suspected of harboring an enemy. 

This woman talked very patriotic, but the warmth she mani- 
fested satisfied the sergeant, who was a resolute fellow, that her 
son was in the house ; and he went to the fire-place, seized a 
blazing brand and started up stairs. Young Camp and Jonathan 
Miller had accompanied Bettys to the neighborhood, and were 
then in an upper room. Hearing the noise below, they sprang 
out of bed, seized their guns and leveled them. At the click of 
their locks, Gordon jumped down stairs, and swore if they did not 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 453 

descend and surrender themselves prisoners in less than Jive minutes^ 
he would smoke them out. Believing he would execute his threat 
and burn the house, they concealed some money under a rafter, 
and then came down and submitted to Gordon's authority, who 
conducted them to the dwelling of Maj. Mitchell, where they 
were secured until morning. The prisoners had not the least sus- 
picion that Bettys had been arrested, until after they were. On 
his way to the major's dwelling, Miller was heard to sayAe would 
rather he shot than to enter it. Obadiah Miller, a brother living in 
the vicinity, was sent for in the morning, and unexpectedly ush- 
ered into the presence of his tory kinsman, whose visit to the neigh- 
borhood was unknown to him. His surprise was evidently irk- 
some, and he trembled like a leaf. It leaked out in the sequel, 
that the two Millers were together in the woods when the attempt 
was made the fall before to capture the major, which he possibly 
suspected. The two prisoners were taken to Albany, from whence 
they were liberated or effected an escape. — Charles Mitchell. 

In the spring of 1781, Col. Livingston, with his regiment of 
New York troops, marched up the Mohawk valley to Fort Plain. 
On arriving at the house of George Adam Dockstader, situated 
four miles west of the present village of Fonda, the regiment halt- 
ed. This was the only house except the parsonage, left standing 
in the valley the year before, from Tribe's Hill to the Nose, a dis- 
tance or nine or ten miles. An upper room of Dockstader's house 
was found to be locked, and Maj. Davis,* a spirited officer of the 
regiment, demanded the key : but the magic iron of ingenious in- 

•Maj. Davis was a native of East Hampton, L. I. He became a prisoner 
to the enemy in the latter part of the war, vras confined in one of the charnel 
houses in New York, and there died, as w^as believed, by having poison ad- 
ministered to him in chocolate. An American captain, who was a feilow- 
prisoner, tasted the beverage, but suspecting its ingredients, would not drink 
it, and advised Maj. D. not to — but the latter had already swallowed a portion 
of it. He was immediately taken ill, and died soon afier. Several other pri- 
soners died at the same time, from the same cause. Such was the fate of 
many — yes, very many, brave American officers and soldiers. They were cith- 
er poisoned outright, or subjected to such privations for the want of whole- 
some food, clothing, medical attendance, fuel, and ventilated rooms, as hur- 
ried them off by hundreds to eternity. — Williamson, 



454 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

vention had disappeared, and could not possibly be found. "Well, 
then" said the intrepid major, "^ bring me an axe; I can open it." 
Rather than have the door mutilated, the family produced the key, 
when lo ! the room was found to be literally filled with hams 
and other smoked meat. The major concluded, and no doubt cor- 
rectly, that from the different colors the meat presented, it had been 
smoked in many places ; and that most of it must have been gath- 
ered by Indians and tories, and there deposited to be used as occa- 
sion might require. He therefore thought it advisable to victual 
his own men from it, and leaving a year's supply for the family, the 
rest was " pressed into the service" to the gratification of the 
troops. — James Williamson, a soldier present. 

On the 2d day of March of this year, James Williamson, a ser- 
geant, was sent, (as he informed the writer) with Corporal Samuel 
Betts and half a dozen soldiers, from Fort Schuyler to guard about 
the same number of wood-choppers, and attend to measuring a 
quantity of wood already chopped, distant about half a mile from 
that post. While thus engaged. Brant came suddenly upon the 
Americans, with a large body of Indians and tories, and discharg- 
ing a volley of balls to intimidate them, rushed up and captured 
the whole party, except Williamson, who fled, amidst a shower of 
bullets, in safety to the fort. Only two of the Americans were 
wounded, William Moffatt and Timothy Reynolds — the former 
with a broken thigh, and the latter a bullet-hole in his cheek, the 
ball having entered at the mouth. Moffatt fired on the Indians, 
on which account he was tomahawked, scalped, stripped of his 
clothing, and left for dead. The enemy immediately set forward, 
and forded the Mohawk some distance below. 

On the arrival of Williamson at the fort, an alarm gun was 
fired, by which the captives knew their sergeant had escaped. A 
strong force immediately turned out, and were piloted by him in 
pursuit of the foe. At the place where the Americans had been 
surprised, Moffatt was found alive, but died soon after. On reach- 
ing the path near the river, which led from Fort Schuyler to Fort 
Dayton, Brant halted his men, and cut the straps which contain- 
ed the buckles, from his prisoners' shoes, which he carefully dis- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 455 

posed along the path on the crusted snow, that his enemies might 
know what he had done, giving the captives deer-skin straps with 
which to tie their shoes. The pursuing party found the buckles, but 
as it was near night the chase was given over, from fear, probably, 
of an ambuscade, as the numbers of the presumptuous foe were 
unknown. Brant first conducted his prisoners to the Oneida cas- 
tle, some sixteen miles southwest of Utica, and after procuring a 
supply of corn directed his course to Fort Niagara by the great 
southwestern route.* Early in the same spring, two boys, who 
had gone back of an orchard, only a few hundred yards from Fort 
Herkimer, to drive home cows, were surprised and captured by 
seven Indians and two tories, and hurried off to Canada. — Wil- 
liamson. 

On the 9th day of July, 1781, a party of the enemy, number- 
ing about five hundred, mostly Indians, under the command of 
Captain John Dockstader, a tory, who had gone to Canada from 
the vicinity of the Mohawk, entered a small settlement called 
Curry Town,f in the present town of Root, three miles southeast 
from Spraker's Basin. A small block house had been erected 
near the dwelling of Henry Lewis and picketed in, previous to 
this invasion, which took place about 10 o'clock, A. M.; and so 
unexpected was it, that most of the settlers were at their occupa- 
tions at home when the first alarm was sounded. The Henry Lew- 

*Aii incident mentioned by Priest, in the memoirs of David Ogden, (a cap- 
live at the time,) as having taken place before their arrival at Niagara, de- 
serves a notice. Having halted at noon to rest, " Brant took a notion that 
Corporal Betts should exercise his men and fellow^- prisoners, to see, as he 
said, vyhether the Yankees could go through the tactics of Baron Steuben. 
The corporal was very loth to do tliis, through diffidence or a broken spirit, 
hanging back considerably ; but Brant insisted upon it, when Betts drew out 
his men in due order, fifteen in number, quite a company, dressed them in a 
straight line, and then went through the manual exercise according to Steu. 
ben, to the full approbation of Brant. But as they did this, the tories assay- 
ed to make sport of them, which Brant forbid with a terrible frown, saying 
that the Yankees went through with it a d — d sight better than they could, 
and that he liked to see the thing done well, although it were done by the 
enemy." 

t So called after William Curry, the patentee of the lands in that settle- 
ment. 

30 



456 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

is house is still standing. Jacob Dievendorf, a pioneer settler at 
that place, was at work in a fallow, with his two sons, Frederick 
and Jacob, and a negro boy named Jacobus [James] Blood. The 
last two were captured ; and Frederick, a lad twelve or fourteen 
years old, in attempting to escape to the fort, was overtaken, toma- 
hawked and scalped. Mrs. Dievendorf, with several female chil- 
dren and five or six slaves, fled from her dwelling and reached the 
fort in safety. Mrs. D. was a large fleshy woman, and in hastily 
climbing a fence, on her way to the fort, it fell with her. Peter 
Bellinger, a brother of Mrs. Dievendorf, who was plowing in the 
settlement, hearing the alarm, unharnessed a horse, mounted it, 
and rode toward the Mohawk, pursued by several Indians, who 
arrived in sight of the river almost as soon as he did ; he, how- 
ever, escaped. Rudolf Keller and his wife happened to be at the 
fort when the invaders appeared; Keller, Henry Lewis, and Con- 
rad Enders being the only men in the fort at the time. Keller's 
oldest son, discovering the enemy, ran home : and as they lived too 
far north of the fort to think of gaining it, he hurried the rest of 
the family into the woods northwest of the house, where they 
gained a place of temporary safety. As they entered the woods 
they looked back and saw the Indians at their dwelling. Fred- 
erick Lewis and Henry Lewis, Jr., were among the first to gain 
the fort. The former fired three successive guns to warn the set- 
tlers of danger, and several, thus seasonably warned, found a safe 
retreat in the forest. Jacob Tanner, with his family, were among 
the last to gain the picketed inclosure. The escape of this fa- 
mily would afibrd the artist a fair subject for his pencil. As the 
Indians were approaching his dwelling, he fled from it with a 
small child in one hnnd and a gun in the other, followed by his 
wife, "with an infant in her arms, and several children on foot hold 
of her clothes. The family were pursued toward the fort by the 
tawny savages, with uplifted tomahawks, thirsting for their blood. 
Finding he could not cut off their retreat, the Indian in advance 
drew up his rifle and fired at Tanner. The ball passed just over 
the head of the child he carried, and entered a picket beside him. 
Several guns, fired from the fort, caused the enemy to gain a more 
respectful distance. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 457 

The Indians plundered and burnt all the buildings in the settle- 
ment, a dozen or more in number, except the house of David Lewis, 
who resided where Henry Vorhees now does, and a log school- 
house. Lewis was a tory, and although his house was set on fire, 
an Indian chief with whom he was acquainted, gave him permis- 
sion to put it out when they were gone. He did so, and part of 
the building is still standing. Jacob Moyer and his father, who 
were cutting timber in the woods not far from Yates's, were found 
dead and scalped, one at each end of a log. They were killed by 
the party who pursued Peter Bellinger. The Indians were visible 
about the settlement until after four o'clock, P. M., when they 
moved off with their booty. They either killed or drove away 
most of the cattle and horses in the neighborhood. Several of the 
latter which were let loose by the Dievendorfs on the approach of 
the enemy, fled from their pursuit, and leaping a fence the saga- 
cious animals gained a place of safety in the forest. 

The lad Frederick Dievendorf, after lying insensible for several 
hours, recovered and crawled toward the fort. He was seen by 
his uncle, Mr. Keller, who went out to meet him. As he ap- 
proached the lad, whose clothes were dyed in his own blood ; the 
latter still bewildered, raised his hands imploringly and besought 
his uncle not to kill him. Mr. Keller assured him of his intended 
kindness ; took him up in his arms and carried him to the fort. 
His wounds were properly dressed and he recovered ; but was 
killed several years after by a falling tree. Jacob Dievendorf, 
senior, fled before the Indians on their approach, and in his flight 
ran past a prisoner named James Butterfield, at a little distance 
from whom he threw himself under a fallen tree. His pursuers 
enquired of Butterfield what direction he had taken. " That 
way^'' said the prisoner, pointing in a diiferent direction for the 
one taken. The party were thus put upon a course which soon 
carried them past Dievendorf, and left him his own master. 
Some of the pursuing Indians passed over the log under which the 
object of search was concealed, and had they looked back, must 
have discovered him. The captives taken along by the enemy, 
were Jacob Dievendorf, jun., the negro Jacob, two lads by the 



458 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

name of Bellinger, and a little girl by the name of Miller, ten or 
twelve years old.* 

On the morning of the same day on which Curry Town was 
burnt, Col. Willet dispatched Capt. Gros from Fort Plain, with 
forty men, with the two-fold object of looking for provisions, and 
for American foes. As it was known that the settlements of New- 
Dorlach and New Rhinebeck, were mostly inhabited by tories ; 
thither Capt. Gros directed his steps, in the hope of getting a few 
beeves for the garrison. Near the former residence of one Baxter, 
he struck the trail of the enemy ; drew up his men beside it, and 
marched them three times over the ground ; when he found that 
one hundred and twenty men would hardly begin to beat a cor- 
responding track. By this test the number of the enemy was es- 
timated to be, at least five hundred, the number it was after- 
wards ascertained fully to equal. 

Selecting two of his best men to follow the trail, Capt. Gros 
marched his company to Bowman's creek, to await the report of 
the scout. The latter proceeded about a mile and came upon 
the ground where the enemy had encamped the previous night 
They approached sufficiently near to observe a large number of 
packs ; and saw a few Indians cooking food — making prepara- 
tions, as they supposed, for the return of their comrades, who, as 
it proved, had then gone to destroy Curry Town. They proceed- 
ed hastily to the creek and reported to Capt. Gros what they had 
discovered, who dispatched John Young and one other man on 
horseback to Fort-Plain, to inform Col. Willet of the espionage, 
proposing to await his further orders at Bowman's creek. 

Willet sent a message to Lieut. Col. Veeder to march as speedi- 
ly as possible with what troops he could collect at Fort Paris and 
elsewhere, to the theatre of action. Collecting all the men that 
could with safety be spared from Fort Rensselaer and Fort-Plain, 

• Tlie preceding facts respecting the invasion of Curry Town were obtained 
by the writer at repeated interviews with John, a son of Rudolf Keller, abova 
named; Jacob Dievendorf, the young captive named; and Toby Blood, 
at that time a young slave in the Dievendorf family. Butlerfield,. although a 
stranger to Dievendorf at the time of saving his life, came to Curry Town af- 
ter the war, and was hospitably entertained by him. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 459 

with the militia he could in the mean time assemble, Col. Willet 
set out for Bowman's creek. Passing Fort Clyde, a picketed 
block-house in Frey's Bush, a draft was made upon that for ad- 
ditional troops, and about midnight he united his forces with those 
of Capt. Gros : the aggregate number of which was 260, many of 
whom were militia. Willet set out for the camp of the enemy, 
and arrived in its vicinity about daylight. They were encamped 
in a cedar swamp on the north side of the Western turnpike, near 
the centre of the present town of Sharon, A part of this swamp 
may now be seen N. E. of the public house kept by Jacob Hiller, 
about two miles east of the Sharon springs. At that period the 
swamp extended farther eastward, and the encampment was on 
the highest ground in the swamp, only a few rods distant from 
the turnpike, as now laid. On the south side of the road a ridge 
of land may be seen, and still south of that a small valley. By a 
circuitous route Col. Willet gained this little dale, and there drew 
up his men with care in a crescent. 

Thus prepared to receive the enemy, who were nearly double 
his own forces, he sent several men over the ridge to show them- 
selves, fire on the foe, flee, and thus elicit pursuit within the Ame- 
rican defiles. The decoy succeeded admirably, the whole party 
snatching up their weapons joined in the pursuit of the fugitives ; 
and Willet's victory must have been most signally complete, had 
he stationed his men nearer the enemy's camp, as he might have 
done without observation : but having nearly half a mile to run, 
the stool-pigeons were so hotly pursued that the lines were broken 
to rescue them, which prevented the surprise from being entirely 
successful. So closely were the camp spies pursued, that Fre- 
derick BelUnger, one of the number, was overtaken and slain. 
Willet's men had been previously instructed to take trees or fallen 
logs and not leave them, and they were in all cases to reserve 
their fire until they had a fair shot. The battle lasted about two 
hours, when, to use the words of an American soldier who was 
in that battle, " The Indians got tired of them, and made offJ'' — 
John Adam Stroheck. He was a private under Capt. Gros, was 
in the hottest part of the engagement, and was wounded in one hip. 



460 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

The enemy, in their retreat, were hotly pursued by the Ameri 
cans, led on by Col. Willet in person, and so completely were 
they routed, that most of their camp equipage, and plunder ob- 
tained the day before, fell into the hands of their victorious pur- 
suers. "Willet continued the chase but a short distance, fearing 
he might in turn fall into a snare, and the tables be turned upon 
him. — Stroheck. 

When the enemy returned in the evening to their encampment — 
distant from Curry Town 12 or 14 miles — they captured a Ger- 
man living near the former place, named Carl Herwagen. Find- 
ing it necessary to retreat, the Indians chose to kill their prisoners, 
lest they should lose the value of their scalps. Herwagen, who 
had been tied to a tree during the engagement, was loosened by 
his captor, who told him to run with the retreating Indians, in- 
stead of doing which he turned and fled the other way — was shot 
down, tomahawked and scalped. The prisoners were all scalped 
except Butterfield and one of the Bellinger boys, who were taken 
to Canada. — Jacob Dievendorf* Mrs. Tunis Vrooman and Fre- 
derick Hiller. The latter settled in the vicinity of the Indian 
camp soon after the war. 

Col. Willett, had Jive men killed in this battle, two of whom 
were Bellinger before mentioned, and a soldier named Kittle : 
and eight wounded, two mortally; Capt. Robert McKean, a brave 
and meritorious officer who died the next day at Fort Rensselaer,t 
and a private who died at Fort Plain. Among the wounded was 
a son of Capt. McKean, who received a bullet in his mouth. The 
loss of the enemy was very severe, although never satisfactorily 
known ; it was supposed in killed and mortally wounded, to be 
about fifty. Capt. Dockstader undertook the principal direction 
of this body of destructives, as was afterwards ascertained, to show 

• The Life of Brant erroneously states that he, (Dievendorf,) was buried 
by Willet's men. He says he partially buried himself in leaves, lo keep off 
the punkies and musketoes which annoyed him. 

t This fort, erected early in 1781, was at Canajoharie, where a stone-honse 
owned by Philip Van Alstine was inclosed. This ancient dwelling, now 
owned by John H. Moyer, is still standing. It was for a time the head quar- 
ters of Col. Willet. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 461 

himself worthy of a major's commission. He is said to have had 
one other ensjagement, and returned to Canada with his forces 
greatly reduced, glad to retain a captain's commission. — Strobeck. 

Two of the enemy carried a wounded comrade from the battle 
field, on a blanket between two poles, all the way to the Gene- 
see valley, where he died. Col. Willett returned to Fort Plain 
without burying any of the dead. After the battle was over and 
the conquerors had left the field, Col. Veeder,* arrived there with 
one hundred men from the north side of the river, mostly from 
Stone Arabia. He buried the Americans killed in battle, and for- 
tunately found and buried those murdered near the camp. Young 
Dievendorf, who had been scalped, was discovered alive rustling 
among the leaves, and his bloody face was mistaken for that of an 
Indian by one of Veeder's men who leveled a gun to fire upon 
him ; but a fellow soldier seasonably knocked up the weapon. 
Miss Miller, also scalped, was found alive, and was with the lad 
Dievendorf taken along to Fort Plain. The little girl was very 
weak when found, and on drinking a draught of cold water she 
instantly expired before reaching that fort. Jacob Dievendorf 
and his brother Frederick, under the care of Doctor Faught, a 
German physician of Stone Arabia, recovered from their wounds. 
— Strobeck, Dievendorf mid Hiller. 

Jacob Dievendorf's head was five years in healing. He still 
lives in Curry Town; is one of the wealthiest farmers in Mont- 
gomery county ; and is in truth a living monument of that unholy 
policy which armed the savage, taught from his infancy to prac- 
tise cruelty on an enemy instead of mercy, with a tomahawk and 
scalping knife, to slay the helpless women and unoffending off- 
spring of the rebel sons of Briton, who dared demand as their 
right, the ^privileges of British subjects. 

Most of the cattle driven away from Curry Town, being aban- 
doned in the retreat of the enemy, found their way back alone to 
their former pastures : one of twelve horses taken by the enemy 
was recovered near the Indian camp, and three more broke loose 
from their new masters and returned to the settlement. — John Keller. 

* Col. Veeder resided in the Mohawk valley, two miles west of the village 
of Fonda, on the farm now owned by Lynds Jones, 



462 fflSTOEY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

On the morning of the same day on which Coh Willet en- 
gaged the enemy, the Rev. P. N. Sommer,the Lutheran minister of 
Schoharie, then blind, was to have preached in New Rhinebeck, 
in which settlement he had several sons with whom he dwelt. 
His hearers, some from a distance of five or six miles, were as- 
sembling at the barn of Conrad Brown, and he had taken his text, 
as a messenger, named Utman, arrived and reported that he had 
heard several hundred guns fired in rapid succession a few miles 
distant. The minister, it is said, turned deadly pale on hearing 
the report, and the meeting was instantly broken up. Philip Hofi- 
man, the old gentleman living near the France family, who had 
escaped from the tomahawk of Crysler and his mercenaries the 
preceding fall, hastened home from the meeting to secrete his wife 
once more ; and just as he arrived at his house some half a dozen 
Indians came up and killed and scalped them both. No other 
injury was done in the settlement at that time.* 

The Indians, in their retreat from Sharon, crossed the west 
creek in New Dorlach, near the former residence of Col. Rice, on 
their way to the Susquehanna. — Brown. 

John D. Hiller, who now owns the ground on which the Sha- 
ron battle was fought, found several relics of that contest after 
the land was cleared up ; one of which, the barrel of a fowling 
gun, of London manufacture, is still in his possession. Many hu- 
man bones which were bleeching on the land below, were collect- 
ed and buried. 

I conjecture that some small parties of the Indians who accom- 
panied Capt. Dockstader, lingered about the Susquehanna and re- 
turned to the frontier settlements. In the latter part of July, a 
party of the enemy, consisting of Capt. David, a Mohawk sa- 
chem, Seth's Joseph, a Schoharie Indian, and brother of Henry, 
and seven others — one of whom was suspected by the prisoners to 
have been a painted tory — surprised WiUiam Bouck (a relative 

• Henry France, Marcus Brown, and the record of the Lutheran Church, 
which records the murder of HofTman and wife, and Herwagen, as having 
transpired on the 10th day of July, the date given by several Jiving witnesses. 
Col. Stone erroneously dates the occurrence on the 1st of July. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 463 

of his namesake previously captured,) and his son Lawrence, (then 
18 years old,) Frederick Mattice and his son Frederick, (a lad 10 
years old,) and two little girls : one a sister of young Mattice, and 
the other a cousin. The captives when surprised, were engaged 
in harvesting wheat in the afternoon, near a large oak tree, which 
is still standing on the lands of John Henry, in Middleburgh. 
Two other lads, George, a son of Frederick, and Nicholas, a son 
of Wm. Mattice, who were in the field when the enemy appeared, 
escaped by flight.* 

The party moved directly up the Schoharie valley, and after 
proceeding several miles, the two girls were liberated and returned 
home. They encamped the first night twelve or fifteen miles dis- 
tant from the wheat-field. When the journey commenced, the 
Indians had but little to eat : near the Gen. Patchin place, they 
shot a hedgehog, which, when they encamped at night, after 
burning off the quills instead of skinning, they roasted for their 
supper. Tomahawks were used instead of carving knives to dis- 
tribute it, but the prisoners declined eating. 

At night, the captives were stripped of part of their clothing 
and tightly bound. In the evening a thunder shower came up, 
and all the party took shelter under a large tree. As they laid 
down to rest, Lawrence Bouck was so closely pinioned, he told 
Capt. David he could not sleep, and the rope was loosened. He 
then laid down between two Indians, while a third one located 
himself so as to substitute his body for a pillow. While the In- 
dians were eating supper, Lawrence, having an opportunity, told 
the elder Mattice, who was his uncle, that he intended to make 
his escape that night. Some time in the night, he w^orked him- 
self out from under the precious head he pillowed, and sat up. 
Perceiving the party all asleep, he succeeded in loosening the cord 
Which bound his arms. A band, such as the Indians generally 
used to carry burdens over their shoulders, adorned his neck ; 
which, in his first efforts to loosen, he shirred in a noose tightly 

• The particulars relating to the captivity of these persons, were derived 
at personal interviews, from Lawrence Bouck and the younger Mattice : two 
of the captives. 



464 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

around his throat ; but this also he removed ; then at a single 
bound, without touching his hands, he sprang upon his feet : a 
feat which he declared himself unable ever afterwards to perform. 
Casting his eye over the group indistinctly visible upon the ground 
around him, he saw no movement ; and taking French leave of 
his drowsy companions, he directed his steps towards the Upper 
Schoharie fort, only a mile or two from which he had been cap- 
tured. Bouck afterwards learned from his father, that his running 
awoke the Indians, several of whom pursued him one hundred 
yards or more ; but it being too dark to discover the course he 
had taken, they returned. The two Mattices were led out in the 
morning and tied to a tree to he killed, the Indians suspecting 
them of having loosened the cords which bound their fellow pri- 
soner. Mr. Bouck told them that his son would not have made 
his escape, had he not feared they would bind him so tight as to 
cause his death. He was treated with far less severity on the 
way to Canada, than was either Mattice or his son. 

Lawrence Bouck arrived near the Patchin place, on his return, 
just at daylight, where he saw numerous tracks, and was at first 
seriously alarmed, as the captors had asserted, the day previous, 
that a large body of Indians were to attack the Schoharie settle- 
ments that day; but on examining the tracks, his fears were dis- 
pelled, by observing that the feet which made them had not been 
mocasoned, as those of Indians would have been. 

When it was known at the forts that the Boucks and Mattices 
were taken prisoners, Col. Vrooman dispatched Capt. Gray, with 
a small company of troops, in pursuit. He followed until eve- 
ning, and not overtaking the enemy, returned to Schoharie. Had 
he prosecuted the pursuit next day, it was believed he would have 
come up with them. It was the tracks of these soldiers that Law- 
rence Bouck discovered while returning. — George Richtmyer. 

The captives were twenty days journeying to Niagara, and se- 
veral times were greatly straightened for food. Once on the way, 
probably on the Susquehanna, they lived a day or two on green 
apples ; and for J^our days they had nothing to eat. At Oquago 
they fortunately found a colt which had been lost by Capt. Dock- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 465 

stader's party. This was killed, divided and feasted upon. Part 
of the animal was dried by the fire and taken along. One wild 
duck was also shot on the way. They went down the Susque- 
hanna river to Chenango Point, (now Binghamton) — on foot, 
however — and from thence to the Genesee valley, where the pri- 
soners were compelled to run the gantlet. Young Mattice had 
been previously divested of all his clothing, except his shirt, which 
rendered him peculiarly vulnerable to the gads and corn-stalks 
used by the young Indians. In the Genesee valley they obtained 
green corn and pumpkins. On arriving at the Tonawanda creek, 
the punkies tormented young Mattice nights, and he adopted the 
expedient of the lad Dievendorf — that of burying his person in 
the forest leaves — to keep them off. They all laid down to rest 
nights, like so many dogs in a kennel. 

On arriving at Niagara the prisoners were confined in the guard 
house. They were soon after separated, Bouck being taken first 
to Montreal and then to Quebec — from whence, being exchanged 
for an American prisoner, he was removed to Halifax, and soon 
after sailed for Boston. From the latter place he traveled to Scho- 
harie, where he arrived between Christmas and New Year's day, 
the year succeeding his capture.* The Mattices did not return 
home until after the conclusion of peace. A tory brother of the 
elder Mattice, who had left Schoharie in 1777, then residing in 
Canada, on learning that Frederick was a prisoner, tried to per- 
suade an Indian to kill him. Such was the fraternal affection too 
often manifested in the Revolution by those who espoused the roy- 
al cause. Mr. Mattice was retained by an Indian, five weeks, to 
construct a log house. During this time, the latter, on one occa- 

* Peter Zimmer, of Schoharie, taken the July following Bouck's capture, 
and Adam Garlock of Sharon, fellow prisoners, accompanied him home from 
Boston. On their way they had to beg provisions, and the cupboards of the 
patriotic Yankees were willingly opened to them. Garlock evinced some de- 
licacy lest they might tax too heavily the hospitality of strangers, and when 
the inquiry whether they would not have more bread, was made, he replied no, 
they had a great plenty. His ready answers cost his companions several 
stinted meals, until they threatened to flog him if he again prevented their 
satifying their hunger. They afterwards fared better, and reached home in 
safety. 



466 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

sion, returned from Niagara drunk, and got his prisoner up in the 
night to murder him. He struck a blow at his head with some 
missile, which the latter parried, and the Indian's squaw caught 
hold of her liege lord and held him, sending Mattice out of the 
hut, where he remained until the demonizing effect of the alcohol 
passed from the warrior's brain. 

On the ratification of peace in the summer of 1783, the British 
and American prisoners were all liberated, at which time the Mat- 
tices were put on board of a sloop, with about six hundred others, 
and taken to Bucks Island, near the outlet of Lake Ontario, from 
whence they were sent to Montreal in bateaus. After a delay of 
two weeks, the Mattices, with a great number of other prisoners, 
proceeded by water up the river Sorel, and landed at Plattsburg, 
on Lake Champlain, and were setj^ree about the 16th day of De- 
cember. The snow was then some six inches deep, through which 
they had to foot it home. The prisoners were tolerably well pro- 
tected against the weather by old clothes given them at different 
places. Three brothers, named Van Alstyne, who had been cap- 
tured in the Mohawk valley, returned home with the Schoharie 
prisoners. 

On Sunday preceding August 14th of this year, about four hun- 
dred Indians and tories, under Capt. Caldwell, made their ap- 
pearance in Ulster county, but were so warmly received by the ci- 
tizens and militia in several skirmishes, that they retreated with 
much more loss than gain. At this time. Gov. Clinton, fearing 
the next point of attack from the enemy would be Schoharie, 
wrote to Gen. Gansevoort, the commanding officer at Albany, to 
send a detachment of troops there to protect those settlements. 
About the same time. Col. Vrooman, of Schoharie, who had heard 
of the enemy's proximity, wrote Gen. Gansevoort for assistance- 
Troops were accordingly dispatched, under Colonels Van Rens- 
selaer and Wemple, to Schoharie, where they were joined by a 
party of Oneidas from Schenectada.* — Letters of Gov. Clinton to 
Gen. Gansevoort, and note to the same in Stone's Life of Brant. 

*The aid thus seasonably sent to Sclioharie was fortunately not called into 
requisition. I conclude that the forces under Capt. Caldwell consisted prin- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 467 

At the Keyes' place in Sharon,* dwelt in the Revolution, a 
Hanoverian named Christian Myndert, whose family was the 
only one in that part of Sharon. Having been alarmed several 
times in the summer, he removed towards fall, in 1781, to Fort 
Duboise ; leaving, at the time of his departure, several hogs run- 
ning in a field, and a quantity of peas growing on the ground. In 
the latter part of October, Myndert, accompanied by Lieut. Jacob 
Borst, of Cobelskill, sergeant Wm. Kneiskern, and Jacob Kerker, 
proceeded to the dwelling of the former, in Myndcrt's val- 
ley, to secure his peas, shut up his hogs, and take care of some 
other property. John Crounse now lives on the Myndert farm. 
The day was cold and stormy, rain and snow alternately falling. 
The party were endeavoring to secure the hogs, when six Indians 
commanded by Walradt, a tory from the Mohawk valley, who 
had been watching their motions for some time, secreted them- 
selves in Myndert's barn near his dwelling. 

After Lieut. Borst and his companions had been thus engaged, 
they repaired to the house, wet and cold, to warm themselves. 
On entering it, they set their guns in one corner of a room and 
gathered round the fire place, where was igniting a quantity of 
dry wood. At this time the enemy entered the dwelling, and so 
suddenly, that not one of the party could seize a gun in time to 
fire. Borst snatched up his, however, but in attempting to turn 
around to discharge it, he was prevented by an Indian who had 
anticipated his movement. Kneiskern seized a chair to strike one 
of the invaders, but the latter grappled it in the same instant. 
Seeing the foes nearly double their own number, with arms 
in their hands, the Americans surrendered themselves prisoners 

cipally of the same destructives led by Capt. Doqkstader to Curry Town four 
weeks before ; that the latter officer, meeting a body of the enemy on their 
way to the frontier settlements of New York, with most of his men, joined 
Caldwell in the enterprise. If so, this will account for the information of 
Mr. Strobeck, that Dockstader was again engaged with, and defeated by the 
Americans, after Willet's battle in Sharon, with very serious loss, before his 
return to Canada. 

• The tavern stand of Zachariah Keyes, an inn-keeper, known to every 
one who traveled the western turnpike twenty-five years ago. Several plea- 
sing anecdotes of him are omitted for the want of room. 



468 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

without further resistance. The latter were then bound, Borst and 
ICiieiskern very tightly, some little plunder made, and all set for- 
ward on their journey to Canada. They proceeded to New 
Dorlach, but a few miles distant, on their way toward the Sus- 
quehanna, and encamped for the night. Borst and Kneiskern, 
thinking their foes all asleep, were planning their destruction and 
their own escape, when an Indian who had been watching their 
intimacy, approached and asked them what they were talking 
about ; and whether they did not contemplate killing their cap- 
tors. They replied that they were complaining of the cords be- 
ing so tight they could not sleep. The Indians did not allow them 
an unguarded moment, and they found it impossible to escape. 

It began to snow soon after they left Myndert's place, and the 
captives suffered very much on their journey from the severity of 
the weather, the want of proper food, and the cruelty of their 
masters. As they approached Indian settlements, they were 
compelled to run the gantlet, by which severe corporal chas- 
tisement was inflicted on all, but the most severely on Borst, who 
fell into a decline soon after reaching Niagara, owing to his cruel 
treatment on the journey, and death soon after ended his miseries. 
Thus ignobly fell one of the most daring spirits Schoharie pro- 
duced during the war. Kerker, who was confined with Borst, 
was a good nurse, and took care of the latter while lingering with 
consumption. Kneiskern, who was imprisoned on an island in 
the St. Lawrence, succeeded one night, in company with several 
other prisoners, in making his escape. They dug out beneath 
the pickets which inclosed the fort where they were confined, 
made a raft on which they floated down the river ; and one of the 
party, from fear the raft might not be suflScient to carry them in 
safety, swam eight or nine miles with but litlle support, his clothes 
being upon it, to where they effected a landing on the American 
shore. After suffering incredible hardships in the forest, living on 
birch bark, roots, &c., they arrived in safety among friends, where 
their wants were supplied, and they reached their homes. — Henry 
France, and John M. Brown. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 469 

Sometime in the summer of 1781, Solomon Woodworth, who 
so gallantly defended the Sacondaga block -house, single-handed, 
in the spring of 1780, having been appointed to the command of 
a company of rangers, was stationed at Fort Herkimer. Accom- 
panied by his lieutenant, Wilson, forty-three soldiers, and five 
friendly Indians, he left that fort on a pleasant summer's morning, 
and crossing the Mohawk, passed up the West Canada creek, on 
a secret expedition. His movements, however, had been carefully 
noted by his foes, who were hovering about the settlement in great 
numbers, thirsting for his blood. Capt. W^oodworth's command 
made a fine appearance on leaving the fort, and were in unusually 
good spirits. They had proceeded but a few miles up the stream 
when they found themselves instantly surrounded by a large body 
of the enemy, with whom they contended bravely for a time, but 
were overpowered by numbers, and their leader and many of his 
men killed. Of the whole fifty, who set out in the morning full 
of life and hope, only fifteen whites and two Indians again reached 
the fort, having cut their way through the thick ranks of the foe- 
man. A party sent to bury the dead, found their bodies greatly 
mutilated and disfigured, done by the Indians to revenge the death 
of the five slain by Woodworth and party as before shown. 

The same season a man named Weaver went to catch a horse 
in the vicinity of Fort Dayton, and was shot down and scalped. 
He was left for dead, but revived and lived three days. Captain 
Small and a soldier who went from the same fort that fall to an 
orchard to bury apples, were surprised by a party of Indians and 
both killed. Two men were shot at Fort Herkimer the same year 
for desertion. They were tried at a fort below, and sent there to 
be executed. As they sat upon their coffins, a sergeant and six 
privates fired at one, and a corporal and six privates at the other j 
after which two soldiers advanced and discharged their pieces with 
the muzzles near, into the heads of the unfortunate men, blowing 
out their brains. — Sylvanus Wilcox, a soldier at Fort Dayton in 
178 1, and general of militia after the war. 



( 470 ) 



CHAPTER XVI. 



On the afternoon of October 24th, 178 1, a body of the enemy, 
consisting of nearly seven hundred British and royalist troops and 
Indians, under Maj. Ross, who was accompanied in the expedition 
by Maj. Walter Butler, of Cherry Valley memory, entered the 
Mohawk river settlements, making their first appearance in Curry 
Town. Passing through that ill-starred place, which had been 
pretty effectually destroyed the preceding July, they avoided the 
little fort and did not fire the buildings then standing, from fear of 
frustrating part of their enterprise. Proceeding from thence to 
the Mohawk valley, they met and captured Jacob Tanner, Rudolf 
Keller, and his wife, Frederick Utman, Michael Stowits, and Ja- 
cob Myers, citizens of Curry Town, as they were returning from 
the funeral of a Mrs. Putman, who had been buried that afternoon 
near Lasher's canal tavern. Mrs. Keller was left near Yates's, by 
the interposition of a nephew who was among the tories, and the 
party afterwards avoided capturing females. Mr. Myers, who was 
far advanced in years, being unable to endure the fatigues of so 
long and rapid a march, was killed and scalped on the way to 
Canada, and his body there left a prey for wuld beasts. — John 
Keller. 

Maj. Ross proceeded down the Mohawk, taking the new road 
but recently laid over Stone Ridge, in Root. On the Ridge they 
\ captured John Wood, the son of a widow, at whose house they ar- 
rived near twilight. Joseph Printup,* a lieutenant of militia, was 

* William Printup, an Englishman, father of the one named in the context, 
who was among the early settlers of the Mohawk valley, was a blacksmith, 
and resided near the lower Mohawk castle. While there, he was employed 
by the British government to repair guns, make axes, hatchets, hoes, &c., for 
the natives. One day when Printup was at work in his shop, an Indian, who 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 471 

living at that time near the residence of his son, the late William 
I. Printup. He was at home as Ross approached, and Jacob 
Frank, a brother-in-law, John Loucks and John Van Alstyne, 
neighbors, were also at his house. Printup had just been clean- 
ing his gun, and as he loaded it and returned the ram-rod, he re- 
marked, " J\'gw I am ready for the Indians /" He had scarcely- 
uttered the words, when an advance party of them, just at dusk, 
was seen approaching the door. Frank and Loucks sprang out 
of the house and fled up the hill south ; the former was shot down, 
however, and scalped, but the latter unscathed, effected his escape. 
As the Indians approached his door, Printup fired at them, when 
they rushed into the house, and one of them, placing the muzzle 
of his gun near Printup's breast, drew the trigger, — at which in- 
stant the latter struck the weapon down, and its bullet passed 
through the fleshy part of the thigh. A tory acquaintance, who 
was with the enemy, then interfered to save Printup's life, and he 
was taken prisoner, soon after which the enemy resumed their 
march down the river. A little distance east of Printup's, a halt 
was made at a large rock beside the road to kill him; but the to- 
ry again interposed, and declared he should not be killed while 
he could keep up with his captors. Van Alstyne lent his servi- 
ces to aid his wounded companion, who leaned upon his shoulder, 
and was thus enabled to continue the journey. — John, a son of Jo- 
seph Printup. 

had taken umbrage at him from some cause, entered the shop and bade him 
kneel down and pray. "Pray!" said Printup, "for what ?" "Because lamgo- 
ing to kill you," was the reply. "To kill me? Fll beat your head in with my 
hammer," he retorted, raising the instrument he held in his hand, and giving 
evidence of suiting the action to the word, as he turned upon his red foe. The 
latter, armed only with a knife, was taken all aback, and seeing the deter- 
mined look of his antagonist, fled from his shop, hotly pursued by Vulcan in 
his leather apron, with uplifted hammer. The chase was continued for some 
distance, in the presence of many Mohawks, v.ho were not a little amused ; 
andfwho added several loud whoops, crying out, "Kill urn Print ! Cha-avi.gO' 
cheth-e-taw-go !" terrifying the poor fellow so that he buried himself in the 
recesses of the forest, and never again disturbed the labors of the King's 
blacksmith. The Indian word Cha-awgo-cheth-e-law-go, signifying Pursue- 
and-kill-him-ifyoU'Can, was the name by which Printup was ever after called 
by the natives. — /. L. Groat. 

31 



472 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Jacob, a brother of John Van Alstyne named above, resided on 
the Stone Ridge at this time. He had been to attend a rehgious 
meeting near the present village of Fultonville, and was return- 
ing home on horseback, when he unexpectedly fell in with the 
enemy. A large Indian seized the bridle, several of his fellows 
drew Van Alstyne from the horse a prisoner, and the former mount- 
ed. The Indian was hardly upon his back, when the horse, not 
fancying his new rider, reared, floundered and soon left him upon 
the ground with a broken shoulder. The sagacious animal then 
set off at full speed, and the enemy opening to the right and left, 
gave him a free passage ; and not caring to fire on him, he escaped 
from them and returned home, greatly alarming Van Alstyne's fa- 
mily as may be supposed. The prisoner was divested of part of 
his clothing and the march resumed. — Cornelius G. Van Alstyne. 

Charles Van Epps, who resided where the dwelling of Evert 
Yates now stands in Fultonville, escaped with his family as the 
enemy approached. Evert Van Epps, a nephew of the former, 
started in the evening, which was very dark, to go to his uncle's, 
(distant from his own dwelling scarcely one quarter of a mile,) 
to enquire after the news. Possibly he had heard the firing at 
Printup's two miles above, and suspected all was not right. He 
had not proceeded half way to his uncle's residence, when, as he 
had crossed a small bridge and was opening a swing gate near 
the end of it into the road, in the present garden of John Mead, 
he heard the click made by cocking several guns, and a voice 
sternly demand " Who^s there. V^ The first thought of Van Epps, 
who could distinguish no visible object, was, to turn and flee ; but 
supposing some of the enemy might be in his rear, or that he 
would instantly be fired at if he attempted to run, he remained at 
the gate and was soon surrounded by a hostile party, who were 
on their way to his house. On securing this prisoner, the enemy 
again moved forward. — John E., son of Evert Van Epps. 

Opposite is a very accurate view of Fultonville, as seen in the 
summer from an eminence in Fonda, on the opposite, or north 
side of the Mohawk. In giving place to this plate, it may be ne- 
cessary to assign some reason for its insertion. The village has 
but few historic associations, and is but the fourth of importance 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 475 

in Montgomery county ; Amsterdam, Fort Plain and Canajoharie 
each having a population more than twice as large. The engrav- 
ing is inserted in compliance with the wishes, and at the expense 
of its enterprising citizens ; from whom the author has received, 
as his list of subscribers can show, flattering encouragement to 
publish. Fultonville, named at a meeting of the citizens soon af- 
ter it began its existence, in honor of Robert Fulton, has sprung 
up on the Erie canal since its completion, and contains an hundred 
dwellings, with a population of six hundred inhabitants. A good 
part of the village is now built on ground called in the Revolution, 
" Van Epps's Swamp." The small dwelling seen in the extreme 
left of the picture, was erected just after the war of the Revolution 
closed, by John Starin. This house stands near the bank of the 
river, and was for a long time known as a public house. Indeed, 
before the Mohawk turnpike was constructed, a line of stages was 
established on the north side of the river, and at this inn the pas- 
sengers from Albany usually dined. About the year 1795, this 
house was the western termination of the mail-route in the Mo- 
hawk valley, which route was afterwards extended to Herkimer, 
and still later to Utica. When the mail-route ended at the house 
in question, to which it was borne once a week, Myndert Starin, 
a son of the inn keeper, as often carried it to Johnstown, four 
miles north, then its place of destination, either on foot or on 
horseback. In the river, nearly opposite this dwelling, may be 
seen the rock which originated a name for the ancient village of 
" Caiighnaivaga^'' on the north side, which, as already stated, lit- 
erally signifies, " 8tone in the waler.^'' A few rods from the site 
of the dwelling near the bank of the river, seen in the right hand 
of the picture, (more ancient site of the Charles Van Epps dwel- 
ling,) stood a small block-house, erected near the close of the Re- 
volution. 

But to return to the war path. Seasonable alarm was commu- 
nicated by John C.,* a son of Charles Van Epps, who chanced 
fortunately to be on horseback, to the river settlers below, who 
made their escape. On arriving at a brook in a small ravine, 
near the present site of John Van C. Alstyne's store, at Auriesville, 
John Van Alstyne said to his fellow prisoner, Printup, " Were it 
not for you, I would now make my escape." His wounded friend 
replied — " Never mind me : if you can escape, do so, and leave 
me to my fate." They were walking between two Indians, when 
Van Alstyne sprang out, dashed up the ravine with the fleetness of 
an Indian, and escaped : the enemy did not care about firing on 

* He was a justice of the peace after the war. While crossing the river 
on the ice, some years ago, he broke through and was drowned. 



476 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

him from motives of policy. Again the Indian who had captured 
Printup was about to sink a tomahawk into his head, hut was 
prevented by the tory who had before interdicted such an occur- 
rence. From Auriesville, the enemy proceeded to Fort Hunter, 
forded the Schoharie near its mouth and prosecuted their enter- 
prise as far as Yankee Hill, in the present town of Florida. From 
thence, becoming fearful of pursuit, the main body forded the Mo- 
hawk and directed their course to Johnstown. Small parties of 
the Indians, hovv^ever, carried their designs still further ; but Capt. 
Wm. Snook, who had been notified of their approach, sent Con- 
rad Stein, an officer under him, to warn the settlers of danger, 
and they generally effected their escape, with a portion of their 
property. A short time before the Revolution, Matthias Wart 
and Marcus Hand, Germans, settled in the interior of this town. 
The invaders burnt the dwellings of Wart, Henry Rury, Captain 
Snook, John Stein, Samuel Pettingell, Wm. DeLine, Patrick Con- 
nelly, George Young, and several others in the neighborhood. 
Near the house of Rury, a man named Bowman w^as captured, 
and in attempting his escape, soon after, was killed. The female 
part of Rury's family, consisting of his wife, her sister Harriet 
Notman, and a little girl named Jane Shelp, were made prisoners 
by One Armed Peter ; who conducted them some distance from 
the house. Harriet had a child in her arms, and falling down 
with it, Peter insisted on carrying it, as supposed, to prevent his 
being shot, should he meet an American marksman. Arriving at 
a by-place, the party halted, and the Indian asked the young wo- 
men if they had any money. An outside pocket was then worn 
over the dress, and Harriet, loosening hers, handed it to him. 
From it he transfered two doubloons to his own person, and then 
returned it. Giving a loud yell, it was responded to by some half 
a dozen so terrific, as to cause Miss Jane to faint away beside a 
log. Being joined by several of his comrades, Peter gave the 
prisoners their liberty, and no further injury or violence was oflTered 
them. 

The suffering of Printup must have been acute while crossing 
the Schoharie and Mohawk rivers, the waters of which were then 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 477 

cold. On arriving at Johnstown, Mrs. Van Sickler, a Scotch wo- 
man, and resident of the place, interceded in his behalf, and he 
was left at her house : from whence he returned home and was 
cured of his wounds.— Fan Epps, Printup and John Hand. At 
Johnstown, Hugh McMonts, a constable, and William Crowley 
were surprised and killed. — Mrs. Penelope Forbes. 

What other mischief the invaders occasioned previous to their 
arrival in Johnstown, I have not learned ; but it is presumed that 
other prisoners were made, and possibly some other citizens slain. 
On the following day, Col. W^illet having collected what troops 
could be spared from the garrisons in the Mohawk valley, and 
mihtia in the vicinity, marched to attack the enemy, who were 
overtaken near Johnson Hall, where a severe engagement took 
place, which lasted for several hours, with alternate success. 
Capt. Zielie, a brave mihtia officer, was captured by the enemy 
during the day, and taken to Canada, receiving while there his 
full share of suffering. Ross was finally compelled to retreat, 
which he did with serious loss. He proceeded about four miles 
and encamped for the night, at which time the prisoner Van 
Alstyne escaped.* — C. G. Van Alstyne. Retreating westward 

* The following incident attendant on the Johnstown battle, was told the 
author by Joseph Wagner. In the Revolution a hedge-fence ran eastward 
from Johnson Hall, and the men under Willel v/ere upon one side of it, and those 
under Ross the other. After a few shots the Americans retreated in confu- 
sion, but were rallied, returned to the field; and acting in concert with troops 
in the enemy's rear, gained a signal victory: When the Americans first re- 
treated, Wagner was the last man to leave the ground. Seeing an officer 
genteelly clad spring into the fence near, he fired and brought him down. 
In an instant a hundred guns were leveled at his own person, and he fled in 
safely amid their discharge. After the battle was over and Willet's men had 
encamped, Wagner attended by several friends visited the field to learn the 
fate of the handsome officer he had fired at. He found him on the ground near 
where he had fallen, and addressed him much as follows :— My dear sir, I 
am the man who shot you in the afternoon, but I have a fellow feeling for 
you : permit me and I will take you to our camp, where you shall receive 
kind treatment and good care. " I wouldrather die on this spot," y/jas his 

emphatic reply, " than leave it with a d d rebel !" The young officer, who 

was very good lookiag, with long black hair, was left to his fate. 

By dawn of day the Americans were put in motion, and Wagner saw no 
more of the warrior named ; but on the approach of several Oneidas in the 



478 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

from Johnstown,* the enemy took the Fish House road. — Joseph 
Wagner. Arriving at the East and West Canada creeks, the en- 
emy forded them four abreast, carrying poles to prevent falling. — 
Van Epps. Near the West Canada creek, a skirmish took place 

morning, he observed in the hands of one, a scalp, the hair of which re- 
sembled that of his. 

Capt. Andrew Fink, a native of the Mohawk valley, who possessed a spirit 
suited for the times, was also in the Johnstown battle. In a correspond- 
ence between Andrew Fink, his son, and H. F. Yates, in which a part of the 
military services of the captain are mentioned, I find the following facts no- 
ted. During the action near the Hall, the British took from the Americans a 
field-piece, which Col. Willet was anxious to recover. He sent Capt. Fink 
with a party of volunteers to reconnoitre the enemy, and if possible get the 
lost cannon. Three of the volunteers were Christian and Myndcrt Fink, 
brothers of the captain, and George Stansell. While observing the movement 
of the enemy from the covert of a fallen tree, Stansell was shot down beside 
his brave leader, with a bullet through his lungs; and was borne from the 
woods by Hanyost Fink. Strengthening his party of volunteers, Capt. Fink 
again entered the forest, soon after which he picked up a British knapsack 
containing a bottle of French brandy and a cocked hat. The cannon was soon 
after re-captured, and it being near night, Willet drew oflT his men and quar- 
tered them in the old Episcopal church in Johnstown ; gaining entrance by 
breaking in a window. 

• Most of the Scotch settlers in and around Johnstown either went to Can- 
ada with the Johnsons at the beginning of difficulties, or if they remained, 
were more the friends of the British than the American government. 
Duncan McGregor, who resided several miles north of Johnson Hall, was an 
exception. At the time of Ross' invasion, several Indians and a tory entered 
this pioneer's house in the evening, who left it as they were approaching, un- 
observed by them. He gained the rear of his log-dwelling, and through a 
cranny watched the motions of the party. He was armed with a gun and a 
sword, and resolved that if any injury or insult was oflTered his wife, to shoot 
the offender and flee to the woods. Mrs. McGregor detected a tory as one of 
the party, by observing his white skin where the paint had worn off. This 
white Indian enquired of her, " if she could not give them something to eat." 
She replied that she had some jonny-cake and milk. " That will do," said he, 
and soon they were eating. As they rose from the table, one of them espied 
a handsomely painted chest in one corner of the room, and asked what it con- 
tained? " It contains books," said she, " and other articles belonging to a re- 
lative in Albany." " Ah !" said the speaker, " he belongs to the rebel army 
I suppose?" She replied that he did; and her countenance indicated no little 
anxiety as he exclaimed with a menacing gesture, " be careful you do not de- 
ceive us." One of the intruders with a tomahawk instantly split the cover, 
and the books and sundry articles of clothing were thrown upon the floor. 
The clothing was added to their stock of plunder, and soon after the warriors 
departed. — ^. J. Comrie. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 479 

between Willet's advance under a sergeant, and a party of the 
enemy, in which several of the latter were killed. — John Ostrom. 

After the enemy had passed West Canada creek, Walter But- 
ler lingered behind, unconscious of being within reach of Ameri- 
can rifles, and having dismounted, he was in the act of drinking 
water from a tin cup, as he was discovered by Daniel Olendorf, 
and Anthony, a Mohawk sachem, both well known in the valley. 
The two, who were a scout in advance of Willet's army, readily . 
recognized the tory chieftain, and both fired upon him. He fell, 
and the Indian, casting off his blanket and upon it his rifle, dash- 
ed through the stream, tomahawk in hand, to him. He was lying 
with one elbow upon the ground, the hand supporting his aching 
head, and as his foe approached, he raised the other hand implor- 
ingly and cried — " Spare me— give me quarters .'" Remember- 
ing the onslaught at Cherry-Valley, and the part the suppliant 
had there acted amid the unheeded prayers of weeping mothers 
and orphan children, the Indian replied, " Me give you Sherry- 
Falley quarters .'" — burying, with the words, his keen-edged toma- 
hawk in his brain. At the moment he fell, Col. Willet and seve- 
ral of his officers arrived upon the bank of the creek. Informed 
by Olendorf of Butler's proximity, he instantly forded the stream, 
attended by Col. Lewis, the Indian chief, on horseback, followed by 
Col. And. Gray of Stone Arabia, and John Brower of the Mohawk 
valley, on foot : the two latter walking together to stem the cur- 
rent. They reached the spot just as Anthony raised his knife to 
perform the last act in the tragedy. Seeing his chief he asked him 
if he should do it, making a circular motion around the bleeding 
head. The red colonel asked Willet if lie should be scalped, who 
replied, he belongs to your party, Col. Lewis. An approving look 
was sufficient, and the reeking scalp-lock was torn ofl^, in the pre- 
sence of those witnesses, as the victim lay quivering in death. 
Such was the fall of Walter Butler. — Daniel and Peter Olendorf, 
sons of Daniel Olendorf named in the context ; and John I. Brower, 
son of John Brower above named. 

Which of the American scout shot Butler is uncertain, but Olen- 
dorf stated to his friends that he aimed at the cup, which, as the 



480 HISTORY OF SCHOHAEIE COUNTY, 

sun shone upon it, afforded him a good mark; and as Butler was 
wounded in the head, it is highly probable the ball of Olendorf's 
rifle brought him down. The Indian having stripped his victim, 
re-crossed the creek to his companion, and hastily putting on the 
regimentals began to strut about and assume the airs of a British 
officer. " I he Brisk ofser .'" said he to Olendorf. " You are a 
foolF^ replied the latter. '•'■ Me foolV responded the Indian 
with warmth — " Me fool ? JYo, me Brisk ofser !" and again the 
bushes had to bow their Submission to his assumed character. 
Said Olendorf again, " You are a fool ! and if any of our men 
should see you at your back, they would mistake you for the vil- 
lain who once wore those clothes and instantly shoot you down." 
This was a view of the case which the Indian had not taken, but 
the words were hardly uttered by his comrade ere he doffed them 
and resumed his blanket. — The Olendorf brothers. 

The prisoners captured by Maj. Ross and party, suffered much 
on their way to Canada from the cold, being seventeen days jour- 
neying to the Genesee valley, during which time they were com- 
pelled to live almost wholly on a stinted allowance of horse-flesh. 
Some of the prisoners wintered in the Genesee valley, and w^ere 
taken to Niagara the following ]\Iarch. Keller, one of the Curry 
Town prisoners, on arriving at Niagara, was sold, and one Coun- 
tryman, a native of the Mohawk valley, then an officer in the Bri- 
tish service, was his purchaser. In June he was sent to Rebel 
Island, near Montreal ; in November, to Halifax ; thence to Nova 
Scotia, and linally to Boston, where he was exchanged, and left 
to foot it home without money, as were many of the prisoners du- 
ring the war. They were, however, welcomed to the table of 
every patriot on whom they chanced to call, and suffered little by 
hunger. Keller reached his family in Minden, near Fort Plain, 
whither they had removed in his absence, on the 24th day of De- 
cember, 1782. Van Epps, a fellow prisoner, again reached home 
about eighteen months after his capture, and the rest of the prison- 
ers, taken that fall, either returned at the time he did, or at subse- 
quent periods, as they were confined in different places. — Keller 
and Van Epjjs. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 481 

About the 1st of November, 1781, a party of the enemy under 
Joseph Brant, and Capt. Adam Crysler, a former resident of that 
vicinity, entered Vrooraan's Land early in the morning, near the 
residence of Peter Vrooman, a httle distance from the Upper Scho- 
harie fort. Isaac Vrooman, father of Peter, had removed his fa- 
mily below the Helleberg some time before, and had, at the time 
of which I am writing, visited his son to procure his aid in mov- 
ing his family back to his old residence in Schoharie. A few days 
before the arrival of his father, Peter had removed from a hut he 
occupied at the fort, to his dwelling, which he intended should be 
his winter quarters, thinking the season so far advanced that the 
enemy would not re-appear that fall. 

Peter was a self-taught blacksmith, and had a little shop near 
his house, where he usually did his own horse-shoeing. It was 
found necessary, previous to leaving home, to set several shoes ; 
and the father rose before daylight, carried a shovel of coals from 
the house to the shop, and made a fire. As it began to get light, 
the old gentleman left the shop, as was supposed, to call his son. 
On his way two guns were fired at him — the one by thetory chief- 
tain, and the other by an Indian warrior beside him. The door of 
Vrooman's dwelling was on the side opposite the shop, and the 
son, already up, hearing the report of the two guns, and rightly 
conjecturing the cause, sprang out of his house, and ran towards 
the fort, a few hundred yards distant. He had gone but a short 
distance from his house, when he was discovered, fired upon, and 
hotly pursued by several Indians, but reached the fort in safety. 

The wife of the younger Vrooman, on hearing the guns, ran up 
stairs, and from a chamber window saw an Indian in the act of 
tearing off the scalp of the elder Vrooman, who was then on his 
hands and knees, bellowing most piteously. After the scalp was 
torn off, the Indian, who was the reader's old acquaintance, Seth's 
Henry, dispatched his victim with a war club, cut his throat, and 
with the bloody knife added another notch on the club, to the re- 
cord of the many scalps he had tal^en in the war ; after which he 
laid it upon the body of the murdered man and left him. The 
reader will remember that this Schoharie chief left a war-club in 



482 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

the same neighborhood some time before, which recorded a most 
startling account of his prowess and cruelty ; the record was much 
larger at a later period, and I think it hardly possible that an equal 
number of scalps and prisoners were made during the war by any 
other individual Indian. When the enemy entered Vrooman's 
house for plunder, Mrs. Vrooman went below, and being known 
to several of the Indians, she addressed them in their own dialect, 
and they spared her life, probably from the recollection of former 
kindness. 

The invaders did not linger long in the vicinity of the fort, but 
advanced up the river, appropriating to their own use whatever 
was attainable. Soon after the arrival of Peter Vrooman, a par- 
ty of fifteen or twenty were dispatched from the fort in pursuit of 
the foe, of whose numbers they were totally ignorant. Who 
commanded this American scout is unknown, but Timothy Mur- 
phy is said to have had its principal direction. They proceeded 
with alacrity along the eastern shore of the Schoharie, and when 
on " Bouck's Island," a few rods above the present residence of 
Gov. Bouck, they were fired upon by the enemy, who were con- 
cealed on the bank of the river above Panther mountain, and one 
of their number. Derrick [Richard] Haggidorn, mortally wound- 
ed. The Americans returned the fire and retreated. As Haggi- 
dorn fell, he called to his companions not to leave him to a mer- 
ciless foe ; M'hereupon Murphy addressed his brave cora- 
ades nearly as follows : " My boys, every ball was not mould- 
ed to hit, let us save him."* He was then taken between two of 
his friends and borne off in safety to the fort, where he died the 
next day, much lamented, as he had been a patriotic and faithful 
soldier. 

* The remark of Murphy, that every ball was not moulded to hit, was pecu- 
liarly applicable to his own case. He was almost constantly exposed in bor-, 
der wars from the beginning- to the close of the Revolution, ever seeking the 
post of danger — the front rank, if an enemy was near, and probably, at the 
lowest estimate, had several hundred bullets fired at Mm by good marksmen, 
without ever receiving the slightest, wound. To look back on the multiplied 
dangers he passed through, without injury — but a few of which have come 
down to the writer in a tangible form — it would almost seem as though for- 
tune had her particular favorites. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 483 

Whether the enemy received any injury from the return fire of 
Murphy and party was unknown ; but not long after, Jacob Fri- 
mire, a soldier who was out on a hunt from the Upper fort, found 
the body of a white man sitting against a tree, with his gun and 
equipments by him ; supposed to have been a tory under Brant 
and Crysler, and to have been mortally wounded by the scout on 
Bouck's Island : the appearance of the body justifying the belief 
that he had been dead about that length of time. The dead man, 
who had been shot through the body, was found a mile or more 
from where the skirmish had taken place, near where a brook 
intersected the mill stream known as Bouck's saw mill creek : the 
brook was afterwards called dead man^s creek. 

As the enemy were concealed, their number was still unknown 
on the return of Murphy and party, but enough having been seen 
and heard to judge somewhat correctly of their strength, Colonel 
Vrooman dispatched Capt. Hager with fifteen or twenty Schoha- 
rie rangers, and a company of eastern troops, numbering about 
sixty men, under Capt. Hale. The command of the Americans 
was given to Capt. Hager, who, taking two or three days' provi- 
sions, moved up the river. The enemy, as was afterwards ascer- 
tained, numbered between sixty and seventy Indians and tories, 
under the command of Brant and Crysler. One of the principal 
objects of the invasion was, the removal to Canada of Crysler's 
family, which, up to this time had remained in Brakabeen. 

Capt. Hager halted his men just at dark near the present tavern 
stand of Wm. Fink, where they encamped in a pine grove beside 
the road. The night was a very cold one, and the troops suffered 
considerably, deeming it imprudent to build fires in the night near 
an enemy whose strength they did not know.* Three hours be- 

• Johan Jost Dietz and Peter Vrooman, the former a colonel and the latter 
a major of militia after the war, were left at the place of encampment, in 
charge of a keg of rum and a quantity of provisions, to await the return of 
the troops : and well did they perlbrm their duty, as they assured the writer 
when together in 1837 ; being unable a part of the time to leave the trust if 
they would, lest others who liked " the striped pig " should fall in with them 
and bear off the keg, they secured a liberal share of its contents within their 
own stomachs. 



484 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

fore the dawn of day, the pursuit was renewed : and near the re- 
sidence of the late Gen. Patchin, the Americans ascended the 
mountain by a narrow and uneven road ; overhung by a heavy 
growth of hemlock. As the night was cloudy and dark, the pro- 
gress of the troops was -necessarily slow. On arriving at the 
forks of the roads which led, one to Harpersfield and the other to 
Lake Utsayantho, they halted, struck up fires and ate breakfast : 
it being then about daylight. It was discovered that the enemy 
had gone towards the lake, and a consultation now took place be- 
tween the officers about the road to be pursued. Capt. Hager 
was in favor of making a rapid march on the Harpersfield route 
and, if possible, head the enemy at a favorable place for surprise ; 
but was overruled and the trail of the enemy followed. 

Capt. Hager and his men had pursued the enemy but a short 
distance on the Lake road, before their approach was known to 
the latter, who made preparations to receive them. About a mile 
from the place of breakfasting, they met tw^o of Capt. Hager's 
horses hoppled together, which the enemy had taken the preced- 
ing day. The captain who was walking in front of his men at 
the time, with the cautious Murphy beside him, stept up to the 
horses and cut the cord w^hich fastened them together. They had 
proceeded but a little way farther, when they heard the whoop of 
several savages, whom they supposed were in search of the hor- 
ses. A rapid march soon brought the Americans where the ene- 
my had encamped the previous night ; seven large fires being still 
burning. Several horses laden with plunder and a number of cat- 
tle w^ere abandoned by the Indians near the fire. 

On arriving at the lake, the road, which waslittleraore than an 
Indian foot path, ran along its margin. A ridge of land extended 
nearly to the Lake where the Americans were approaching, and 
as they were rising the eminence, the enemy who were concealed 
near its summit, discharged upon them a volley of balls. The in- 
stant they fired, Capt. Hager commanded Hale, who was march- 
ing in the rear to ''flank to the right and march on .'" Hager 
intended to bring the enemy between his command and the lake ; 
but Hale, instead of obeying the order, faced to the right about, 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 485 

and followed by his men with one noble exception, retreated in 
double-quick time. Brant and his destructives seeing the cow- 
ardly retreat of Hale and his men, advanced to meet Hager, who 
was left with less than twenty men to resist a force more than 
triple his own. The little band had taken trees, and were begin- 
ning to return the enemy's fire at the time Hale retreated ; but 
seeing that they must soon be entirely surrounded if they at- 
tempted to maintain their position, their brave leader ordered a 
retreat. On leaving the ground, they were necessarily exposed 
to the fire of the enemy, and Sacket, a Bostonian, (the exception 
to Hale's men,) sealed his bravery with his blood, as did Joachim 
Van Valkenberg,* one of Capt. Hager's followers. Joseph, a 
brother of Capt. Hager was also wounded severely in the right 
shoulder, but the ball was extracted and he subsequently recov- 
ered. It was thought by the Americans at the time a most pro- 
vidential circumstance, that, exposed as they were in their re- 
treat to the fire of so many good marksmen, only two should have 
been killed. Capt. Hager, with Murphy still at his side, then ran 
to overtake the cowardly Hale; and after a chace of about five 
hundred yards overtook him : as both of them gained his front, 
they placed the muzzles of their rifles at his breast, and the cap- 
tain in a voice of thunder exclaimed, " Attem-pt to run another 
step and you are a dead man .'" 

Thus unexpectedly brought to a stand, Hale, at the order of 
Capt. Hager, which he was not in a situation a second time to 

* The following anecdote was related to the author by Lydia Kline, a sister 
of Van Valkenberg. Among the Indians who returned to Schoharie, after the 
war, was one who called at the house of Henry, a brother of Van Valkenberg 
above named, having with him a gun. Henry instantly recognized the gun 
as that of his deceased brother, and taking it up he asked the Indian where 
he got it. He replied that he had killed a man at the '^Little Lake,' and thus 
obtained it. Said Henry, " This is my gun, and I shall keep it." The red 
man was unwilling to concede that point, it being as he believed a lawful 
prize from the fortune of war. Henry however retained the gun, and told the 
Indian to take it from his grasp and he should have it. Mortified at thus los- 
ing his gun, the Indian left the house and went into a swamp near by. Not 
long after this event the body of a dead Indian was discovered in this swamp, 
but the cause of his death, or by whose hand he had fallen, remained among 
the mysteries of the times. 



486 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

misunderstand, faced about and "began to retrace his steps. But 
the golden moment to punish the invaders of Schoharie and 
avenge the murder of Vrooman, was past. Brant, to whom pos- 
sibly the actual force under Capt. Hager w^as known, having, as 
before remarked, a French war acquaintance wdth the latter, and 
knowing what resistance he might expect if a stand was effected 
by him, chose, encumbered as he was with Crysler's family, to 
make a rapid march to the Susquehanna. The two soldiers who 
fell near the lake were scalped by the foe. 

Having restored order and infused a share of his own fearless 
spirit into his ranks, Capt. Hager was about to renew the pursuit 
as Col. Vrooman arrived upon the ground, wnth forty men drawn 
from the Lower fort. After a short consultation, the chase was 
continued, but still in ignorance as to the enemy's numbers; after 
proceeding about two miles and losing all trace of their footsteps, 
they having left the usual path for some unknown route, the pur- 
suit was abandoned, and the troops returned to Schoharie. — Man- 
uscript of Judge Hager, one of the 'pursuing party. 

In the latter part of the w^ar, supposed in the year YI'8\,six to- 
ries, who had threaded the forests from Niagara to Schoharie in 
the hope of making a profitable adventure, were concealed in and 
around the settlements for a w^eek or more. They were led by 
\l Nicholas Snyder, a former resident of the valley and neighbor of 
my informant Jacob Enders, whose person they thought to secure. 
• The party were secreted in a small swamp several days, near the 
dwelling of William Enders his father, on Foxes creek. After 
awaiting in vain nearly a week for a sight of Jacob's person, two 
of the number dressed in Continental clothes, went to the house 
of Enders, and supposed to be jmtriots, were very kindly treated : 
they enquired of Mr. Enders, while partaking of his hospitality, 
iy he had no sons to aid him in his farming ! He replied that he 
had a son, who was then in the nine months* service at the Middle 
fort 

Mortified at being thus foiled in their attempts, the tories then 
sought to surprise and capture Capt. Stubrach, to effect which 
they laid in wait for him some time under a bridge in Kneiskern's 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 487 

dorf J but the captain was not to be caught napping, and the en- 
terprise proved abortive. 

Capt. Henry Eckler, late of Warren, Herkimer county, was out 
with a friend in the summer of 1781, in the vicinity of Fort Her- 
kimer, and unexpectedly fell in with Brant and a party of his war- 
riors. The chief, who was well acquainted with Captain E., ad- 
dressed him by name, and asked him if he would surrender him- 
self his prisoner. " JVb^ by a d — d sight, as long as I have legs to 
run .'" and suiting the action to the word, he turned and fled at 
the top of his speed, and his companion with him. The surprise 
took place near a piece of woods, into which the fugitives ran, 
pursued by a band of yelling savages. Eckler had proceeded but 
a little distance in the woods, when he found it would be impos- 
sible for him to run far with the speed requisite for his escape by 
flight ; and passing over a knoll which hid him from the observa- 
tion of his pursuers, he entered, head first, a cavity at the root of 
a wind-fallen tree. He found its depth insufficient, however, to 
conceal his whole person, and like a young ostrich or partridge, 
that, with its head concealed, feels secure, if it remains still, he 
resolved to keep silence and trust to Providence for the issue. The 
party pursuing soon arrived upon the knoll, and halted almost over 
him to catch another glimpse of his retiring form. But they look- 
ed in vain ; and while they stood there, and he heard their con- 
versation, he expected every moment would be his last, as he was 
sure if his foes looked down they could not fail to see at least one 
half his person. He thought, as he afterwards told his friends, 
that had Brant, who also came upon the bank above him while 
he was thus concealed, but listened, he must have heard his heart 
beat, as it felt in his breast like the thumping of a hammer. Sup- 
posing Eckler had fled in an opposite direction, his pursuers over- 
looked his place of concealment, and expressing to each other 
their surprise at his sudden exit, and declaring that a s-pirit had 

helped him escape, they withdrew, when he backed out of his hi- 

. . .* 

ding place, and regamed his home in safety. His comrade also 

effected his escape uninjured, although he had a long and strong 
race for his liberty. — Dr. Z. W. Bingham, who also communicat- 
ed the facts detailed in the next succeeding adventure. 



488 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

In the fall of 1781, a man was captured in the vicinity of Fort 
Plank, a picketed block-house, situated in the western part of the 
present town of Minden, some three miles westward of Fort Plain.* 
The prisoner of whom I speak was captured by seven Indians, 
and hurried off into the wilderness. At night the party halted at 
a deserted log tenement in that part of Danube known as Otsqua- 
go,f or as usually spoken, the Squawke. As the weather was 
cold the Indians made a fire, and after partaking of a scanty sup- 
per, gathered round it to talk over the result thus far of their ex- 
pedition. They had, as they stated, taken but a few scalps, very 
little plunder, and but one prisoner, who, they concluded, was 
hardly worth taking to Canada alone. They there resolved to 
have a pow-wow in the morning, kill and scalp the prisoner, re- 
turn toward the Mohawk, and seek among the defenceless or un- 
guarded whom they might plunder or slay. 

The enemy, after discussing thus freely their future plans in the 
Mohawk dialect, laid down upon the floor to rest, with their feet 
to the fire. The prisoner was compelled to lie down between two 
Indians, under cords fastened to their bodies, which crossed his 
person over the breast and thighs, and not long after, all, save the 
prisoner, were in a sound slumber. If the Indians were soon 
dreaming of rich hunting grounds, human scalps, " beauty and 
booty," the case was far otherwise with the poor captive, who 
understood every word they had said, and had listened with hor- 
ror to his own approaching fate. Believing his foes all under the 
padlock of Morpheus, he began to tax his ingenuity for some 
means of escape. Hope of procuring those means was fast fading 
from his excited mind, which already began to suffer the imagina- 
ry pangs of savage torture, when, in moving his hand upon the 
floor, it accidentally rested upon a fragment of broken window- 
glass. 

*Col. Stone, with several other writers, has fallen into the error of suppos- 
ing Fort Plank but another nanie;/or Fort Plain. 

tThis is the Indian name for the creek which runs into the Mohawk at Ft. 
Plain, and signifies "The Springs," alluding to its sources.— I Fas:ner. 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 489 

No sooner did the prisoner seize the glass, than a ray of hope 
entered his bosom, and with the frail assistant he instantly set 
about regaining his liberty. He commenced severing the rope 
across his breast, and soon it was stranded. The moment was 
one of intense excitement ; he knew that it was the usual custom 
for one or more of an Indian party to keep watch and prevent the 
escape of their prisoners. Was he then watched ? Should he 
go on, with the possibility of hastening his own doom, or wait 
and see if some remarkable interposition of Providence might save 
him 1 A monitor within whispered, " Faith without works is 
dead," and after a little pause in his efforts, he resumed them, and 
soon had parted another strand ; and as no movement was made, 
he tremblingly cut another ; it was the last, and as it yielded he 
sat up. He then was enabled to take a midnight view of the 
group around him, in the feeble light reflected from the moon 
through a small window of a single sash. The enemy still ap- 
peared to sleep, and he soon separated the cord across his limbs. 
He then advanced to the fire and raked open the coals, which re- 
flected their partial rays upon the painted visages of those mis- 
guided heathen, whom British gold had bribed to deeds of damn- 
ing darkness ; and being fully satisfied that all were sound asleep, 
he approached the door. 

The Indians had a large watch dog outside the house. He 
cautiously opened the door, sprang out and ran, and as he had 
anticipated, the dog was yelling at his heels. He had about 
twenty rods to run across a cleared field before he could reach the 
woods : and as he neared them he looked back, and in the clear 
light of a full moon, saw the Indians all in pursuit. As he neared 
the forest, they all drew up their rifles and fired upon him, at 
which instant a strong vine caught his foot and he fell to the 
ground. The volley of balls passed over him, and bounding to 
his feet, he gained the beechen shade. Not far from where he 
entered, he had noticed the preceding evening a large hollow log, 
and on coming to it, he sought safety within in. The dog, at 
first, ran several rods past the log, which served to mislead the 

32 



490 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

party, but soon returned near it, and ceased barking without a vi- 
sit to the entrance of the captive's retreat. 

The Indians sat down over him, and talked about their prison- 
er's escape. They finally came to the conclusion that he had 
either ascended a tree near, or that the devil had aided him in his 
escape, which to them appeared the most reasonable conclusion. 
As morning was approaching, they determined on taking an early 
breakfast and returning to the river settlements, leaving one of 
their number to keep a vigilant watch in that neighborhood for 
their captive until afternoon of the following day, when he was 
to join his fellows at a designated place. This plan settled, an 
Indian proceeded to an adjoining field, where a small flock of sheep 
had not escaped their notice, and shot one of them. While enough 
of the mutton was dressing to satisfy their immediate wants, oth- 
ers of the party struck up a fire, which they chanced, most unfor- 
tunately for his comfort, to build against the log, directly ofposUe 
their lost prisoner. The heat became almost intolerable to the 
tenant of the fallen basswood, before the meat was cooked — be- 
sides, the smoke and steam which found their way through the 
worm holes and cracks, had nearly suff jcated him, ere he could 
sufficiently stop their ingress, which was done by thrusting a 
quantity of leaves and part of his own clothing into the crannies. 
■ A cough, which he knew would insure his death, he found it most 
difficult to avoid : to back out of his hiding place would also seal 
his fate, while to remain in it much longer, he felt conscious, would 
render his situation, to say the least, not enviable. 

After suffering most acutely in body and mind for a time, the 
prisoner (who was again such by accident,) found his miseries al- 
leviated when the Indians began to eat, as they then let the fire 
burn down, and did not again replenish it. After they had dis- 
patched their breakfast of mutton, the prisoner heard the leader 
caution the one left to watch in that vicinity to be wary, and soon 
heard the retiring footsteps of the rest of the party. Often during 
the morning, the watchman was seated or standing over him. Not 
having heard the Indian for some time, and believing the hour of 
his espionage past, he cautiously crept out of the log ; and find- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 491 

ing himself alone, being prepared by fasting and steaming for a 
good race, he drew a bee-line for Fort Plank, which he reached 
in safety : believing, as he afterwards stated, tliat all the Indians 
in the state could not have overtaken him in his homeward flight. 
The events of the year 1781, are among the most important 
during the war, and gave the seal to American independence. 
In the early part of the year, the southern states became the thea- 
tre of war, and Gen. Greene, who had succeeded Gates after his 
southern disasters, aided by Morgan, Lee, Marion, Sumpter, and 
other brave officers, fought many battles with skill and alternate 
success to the American arms. On the l9th of January, Gene- 
rals Greene and Morgan met and defeated, with an inferior numeri- 
cal force, mostly militia. Col. Tarleton with the flower of the Brit- 
ish army. Not long after, Lee and Pickens — the latter a militia 
officer — fell in, by accident, near the branches of the Haw river, 
with a body of royalists on their way to join Col. Tarleton, and 
killed upwards of two hundred of their number. On the 15th of 
March, Gen. Greene met Lord Cornwallis near Guilford Court 
House, and although victory several times perched upon the spangled 
banner, the Americans were finally compelled to retreat — with a loss, 
however, less than that of the victors. On the 25th April, the 
battle of Camden was fought, between the armies under General 
Greene and Lord Rawdon, when fortune again showed herself a 
fickle goddess — siding, in the latter part of the action, with the 
foes of freedom. The killed and wounded on each side was be- 
tween two and three hundred. The vigilance of the prudent 
though daring Greene, and the spirit with which the British were 
every where met at the south by the yeomanry of the land, caused 
them, by the early part of June, to abandon nearly all of their 
line of military posts in the Carolinas, and concentrate their forces. 
Probably in no other section of the union w^ere the friends of lib- 
erty and royalty more equally divided : or was a spirit of bitter 
acrimony and rancorous hostility more vividly manifested during 
the war, than in the Carolinas in the summer of 1781. Indeed, 
many of their most valuable citizens were sacrificed in a spirit of 
partisan strife or retaliation. The last important engagement in 



492 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

South Carolina, took place on the 8th of September, at Eutaw 
Springs, between the troops under Gen. Greene and Lieut. Col. 
Stewart. This was one of the most bloody battles during the 
war for the numbers engaged, and was fairly won by the Ameri- 
cans ; but in their retreat, a body of the British entering a large 
brick house, kept their pursuers in check until the officers could 
rally the fugitives : who returned to the charge, and in turn com- 
pelled the Americans to retreat; which was done in good order, 
and the wounded borne from the field. The armies were each 
2000 strong when the action began. The Americans lost in killed 
and wounded 550 men, and the enemy about 700. 

Early in the season the traitor Arnold was sent with an army 
into Virginia. In this expedition, Arnold destroyed, by confla- 
gration and otherwise, much property, public and private, at Rich- 
mond, Westham, Smithfield, and some other places. While the 
traitor was thus serving his new master, Washington concerted a 
plan for his capture — but the French fleet not co-operating with 
Gen. Lafayette, to whom was entrusted the enterprise, it proved 
abortive. Arnold was soon after superseded by Gen. Phillips, who 
sailed up James river, destroying much property at Boswell's Fer- 
ry, City Point, Petersburg, and Manchester. 

In May, a project was formed by Gen. Washington and other 
officers assembled at Wethersfield, Connecticut, to attempt the re- 
covery of New York city. The French fleet, under Count de 
Grasse, expected to co-operate by water, arriving in Chesapeake 
bay, the contemplated siege of New York was abandoned, and 
the capture of Lord Cornwallis, who was strongly fortified at 
Yorktown, undertaken. The seige of the place began about the 
1st of October, and on the 19th, Cornwallis and his army of eight 
or nine thousand men, surrendered themselves prisoners of war to 
the American and French armies, with a park of 160 pieces of 
artillery, mostly brass. The enemy's naval force in the harbor 
was assigned to the Count de Grasse, and the land forces to Gen. 
Washington. The loss of a second entire army inclined Britain 
to think of making a peace. This great victory was celebrated 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 493 

throughout the Union with festivals and rejoicings, and a day of 
national thanksgiving was appointed. 

The destination of the American army was so judiciously con- 
cealed from Sir Henry Clinton, commanding at New York, that 
Washington was treading a southern soil when that officer sup- 
posed him in his own neighborhood. 

A fact attendant on the capture of Cornwallis, deserves a no- 
tice. It was the usual custom in the Revolution, when one army 
was vanquished by another, to have the standards borne by lieu- 
tenants and transferred to officers of the same rank. At the sur- 
render of the troops at Yorktown, it was observed that the British 
flags were in the hands of orderly sergeants. Two officers of 
that grade, James Williamson of the New York, and a man named 
Brush, of the Connecticut troops, were quickly selected to perform 
this honorable duty, in consideration of services rendered during 
the seige, to evidence which each wore on his person the soldier's 
mark of honor. The British army passed between files of Ame- 
rican troops, and as the standards reached Williamson and Brush, 
they received, furled, and laid them down. When the first stan- 
dard-bearer reached Williamson (from whom these facts were de- 
rived) he was ordered by him to halt. " Sir,^^ said he, " 1 will 
receive your standard." The British orderly at first hesitated, and 
seemed not a little surprised that he was to deliver it to a knotted 
officer, but with a very graceful salute he presented it and passed 
on. The old veteran remarked that he had quite a pile of British 
flags when the vanquished army had all passed. It was after- 
wards supposed that the enemy designed, by delivering their en- 
signs through non-commissioned to subaltern officers, to cast a slur 
upon the stars of America.* 

* The following anecdotes were attendant on the march of the American 
army to and from Yorktown. At Baltimore, one Gregg, who belonged_to Col. 
Cortlandt's regiment of New York troops, was flogged eight hundred lashes. 
Several complaints having been rendered to the colonel that the soldiers were 
stealing from each other ; in order to stop the habit effectually, he gave or- 
ders that the first one guilty of theft should receive fifty lashes for the value 
of every shilling stolen. A missing shirt was found shortly after in Gregg's 
knapsack, which two of his fellow soldiers adjudged to be worth two dollars. 
Poor Gregg was literally flayed. He lingered a long time between life and 



494 ^ HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Chagrined at the turn affairs had taken at the south, Chnton 
sent the traitor Arnold on an embassy of destruction to New Lon- 
don, Ct. Fort Griswold, situated on elevated ground in Groton, 
on the east side of the Thames, nearly opposite, commanded the 

death, but finally recovered. It turned out in the end that a rascally soldier 
had stolen the garment, and placed it in Gregg's knapsack on purpose to see 
him flogged. — James Williamson. 

Cady Larey one day stole a turkey, and put it in the knapsack of a fellow 
soldier named Berrian, expecting, no doubt, to feast on it. It was discover- 
ed, and Col. Cortlandt sentenced Berrian to receive a severe whipping for the 
theft. His back was bared, and as the lash was about to descend upon it, 
Larey, conscience-stricken, advanced into the ring and confessed the crime — 
declaring that if any one deserved a flogging it was himself. The act of con- 
fession was so manly, that Col. C. forgave them both. — Williamson. 

All classes could safely be trusted with secrets in the Revolution. A cheese 
having one day disappeared in an unaccountable manner in a New England 
regiment, great search was made for it, but in vain. Among others examin- 
ed was a faithful negro waiter to one of the officers, who was interrogated, 
and replied much as follows : "Jack, have you seen any one steal a cheese?" 
" No, massa ; me no see any one steal chee." " Have you seen a cheese in 
the hands of any one ?" " No, massa." " Well, Jack, have you seen anj' 
cheese?" "Why, ye-ye-yes massa, me see a chee go by, but nobody wid em." — 
Capt. Eben Williams. 

At Baltimore the regiment of Col. Cortlandt embarked in a vessel, and af- 
ter the troops were all on board, the colonel gave strict orders that no one 
should go on shore without his permission. The night following, Larey and 
Berrien, the two soldiers mentioned in another anecdote, yielding to a tempta- 
tion to violate their oflicer's commands, which their love of liquor prompt- 
ed, swam ashore. While returning to the ship, Larey was drowned, but his 
equally boozy companion was discovered floundering in the water, taken on 
board, and instantly cited before his commander. He confessed his guilt, and 
at the mention of his companion's name began to cry. " Why do you cry?"' 
demanded the colonel. "Because poor Larey was drowned," he replied ; "for 
about his neck was tied a canteen — eh ! of as good brandy as ever a man 
tasted — eh." The colonel finally forgave Berrian because of his penitence 
and great sorrow for the loss of his companion and the precious jewel about 
his neck — but admonished him and his fellow soldiers never to be guilty of 
another act of disobedience, if they would not share the fate of poor Larey, 
who could never drink his own brandy. — Williamson. 

On the return march of Colonel Corllandt's regiment from York Town, a 
gentleman near whose house it had encamped, complained in the evening to 
Colonel C, that his watch had been stolen by a soldier. Secrecy was en- 
joined until the troops were paraded to march in the morning, when a rigid 
search was made of the person and knapsack of every soldier in the regiment, 
but the search was in vain, and the army moved forward. Some days after, 
the watch was discovered on the person of a soldier, who was publicly whip- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 495 

city ; and in order to rifle the latter it became necessary to cap- 
ture the former. For this object, a large body of men under Lt. 
Col. Eyre were dispatched ; but they were repelled with spirit by 
its inmates, about 120 men, mostly militia, assembled in its vicini- 
ty. The Americans were too few to resist so large a force, and 
the works were finally carried ; but not until, according to Ar- 
nold's official account, 48 of the assailants were slain, and 145 
wounded, many mortally. Numbers were killed with cold shot 
thrown from the ramparts. The Americans lost but a few men 
until after the works were carried and they had grounded their 
arms, when about seventy of their number were brutally massa- 
cred, and nearly all the rest wounded ; several are said to have 
escaped injury by hugging British soldiers, so as to endanger the 
lives of the latter if those of the former were attempted. One 
man, who fled from the fort as the enemy entered, was shot at 
with some others also escaping, and falling uninjured, he remain- 
ed in the grass feigning himself dead, until the enemy withdrew, 
when he joined his friends. As Maj. Montgomery entered the 
fort, (Col. Eyre, his superior, being wounded) he asked who com- 
manded it. The brave Lt. Col. William Ledyard responded very 
civilly, " I once had that honor, the command is now yours :" 
presenting at the same time the hilt of his sword. The brutal 
major seized it, and with the spirit of a demon, passed it through 
the vitals of the unarmed giver. An American officer next in 
command to Ledyard, and standing near him at the time, re- 
venged the act by cutting down Montgomery, but was in turn 
slaughtered. The command of the enemy then devolved on Maj. 
Bromfield. The dastardly example of the officers was followed 
by an indiscriminate slaughter of the unresisting soldiery. We 
talk of the savage massacres of Cherry-Valley and Wyoming — 
here was a more than savage massacre, for it was committed by 

ped for its theft. Exhibiting it exultingly afterwards, he exclaimed — " Who 
would not take a flogging for such a watch as this ?" 

When asked how he had managed to conceal the watch, the rogue said he 
was about to bake a bread-cake as he obtained it, and putting it within the 
dough, baked it in. The bread was in his knapsack when searched, but no 
one thought of breaking the loaf to find a concealed treasure. — Williamson. 



496 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

a people claiming to be civilized. In vindication of the British 
character, it has been stated that the Americans continued the 
fight after they had struck their colors. This however is not 
true : the flag-staff upon the walls was more than once shot oiFby 
the enemy, but the flag was waving above them when they car- 
ried the fortress. A regiment of militia under Col. Gallup, who 
witnessed the whole transaction at a distance of one mile from the 
fort, would not march to its rescue. Had he led his men into the 
fort, as a sense of duty should have prompted, the British could 
not have taken it. Ledyard sent a messenger to Gallup to march 
into the fort to his assistance when the enemy were landing, but 
the latter pretended not to have received the message. Gallup 
was tried by court martial for his want of bravery on the occasion, 
and broken of his ofiice. 

The enemy while in possession of the fort, loaded an ox-cart 
which chanced to be near, with wounded Americans, and started 
it down the declivity with the intention of running it into the river, 
but it struck a large apple-tree after gaining considerable velocity, 
and thwarted their merciless intention. The shock when it struck 
was tremendous, and several of the bleeding soldiers were killed 
outright. One Stevens who was in it at the time with a broken 
thigh, and was nearly killed by the shock, afterwards stated no 
one could conceive the acuteness of his suffering when the cart 
struck the free. The enemy after burying their own dead, spik- 
ing or destroying the cannon, and laying a train of powder to the 
magazine, left the fort. The explosion was however prevented, 
as has been stated by some previous writer, by a wounded soldier 
who crawled upon the train, and saturated it with his own life- 
blood so that it did not communicate with the magazine. The 
British burnt New-London, destroyed some shipping in the har- 
bor, and embarked for New-York. Soon after they left the fort, 
the Americans in the neighborhood entered it. The former had 
buried their dead but slightly, with their clothes on. The Ame- 
ricans, who found it difficult to obtain clothing, dug up their dead 
foes ; divested them of their apparel j dug deeper graves, and 
again buried them ; interring also their fallen countrymen. Facts 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 497 

from Mr. Ephraim F. Simms, of Otsego county, who obtained 
them at the request of the author, from Capt. Peckham Maine, a 
former resident of that county. The latter, then a lad, entered Fort 
Griswold soon after the enemy left it, and aided in stripping and 
burying the dead. 

A patriotic old lady is still living in the vicinity of this fort, or 
was but recently, who was in it at the time it fell into the hands 
of the British, of whom the following anecdote is related. As the 
enemy were approaching the fortress, one of the guns was about 
to become useless for the want of wadding ; when our heroine 
loosening a flannel petticoat on her person, threw it to the cart- 
ridge-man with the exclamation, " this will enable you to fire a 
few shots more !" The garment was torn up, and the gun con- 
tinued its fearful execution upon the foeman. In consequence of 
the patriotic deed related, this old lady has been visited by many 
distinguished individuals, among whom, if I mistake not, are num- 
bered several Presidents of the United States. — Uev. J. M. Van 
Buren. 



( 498 ) 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Although the preceding year had closed with a cessation of hos- 
tilities, predatory border enterprises were continued during the 
summer of 1782. 

Christopher P. Yates, Esq., who was one of the best informed 
and most efficient patriots in the Mohawk valley, in a letter dated 
" Freyburg, 22d March, 1782," written to Col. H. Frey,* a broth- 
er-in-law, respecting timber, thus observes : 

" We have already had three different inroads from the enemy, 
which you have doubtless heard before. The last was at Bow- 
man's kill, from whence they took three children of McFee's fami- 
ly. If they act upon the same principle as the last year, which 
from their conduct is evident, their intention in coming^ to the 
creek so early was to clear it of all inhabitants, that they might 
pass unobserved. I fear that in the course of the present year they 
will infest us chiefly on the south side of the river, and in small 
parties : for this reason I think our bush to be in more danger than 
it has yet been. God grant that I may be wrong." 

* Col. Stone in the Life of Brant, speaking of the acts of the first meeting 
of the Palatine district, thus observes — '' The original draft of the proceed 
ings of that meeting is yet in existence, in the hand- writing of Colonel Hen. 
drick Frey, a patriot who lived to a great age, and is but recently deceased.' 
" This," says the memoranda of H. F. Yates, " is a total and entire mistake 
The draft was made by Christopher P. Yates, and is in his hand writing 
Col. Stone meant John, instead of Hendrick Frey. The latter was a tory 
and was one of the disafl'ected sent by the Tryon County Committee to Hart 
ford, Connecticut. The whole of those papers, [the early correspondence of 
the Tryon County Committee,] were drawn and written by C. P. Yates. He 
was the only scholar among them ; and was a man of strong mind, much 
reading, and a very forcible writer. He was the competitor at the bar of 
Montgomery County, of the late Abrara Van Vechten, from the year 17S7, till 
the Legislature by law, prevented the clerks from practising law in their re- 
spective counties." 

As in the Schoharie, so it was in the Mohawk valley in the Revolution. 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 499 

In the spring of this year, a party of fifteen Indians proceeded 
by a circuitous route through the Schoharie settlements, without 
comnaitting any hostile act to Beaver-dam, Albany county, where 
was a small settlement, a grist-mill, &c. The settlers were most- 
ly tories in this vicinity, except the Dietzes and Weidmans. To 
destroy the family of Johannes Dietz, an old gentleman who lived 
between the mill and a Scotch settlement at Rensselaerville, was 
the especial object of the invaders in making their tedious jour- 
ney. The family consisted of the old gentleman and his wife, 
his son Capt. William Dietz and wife, four children of the latter, 
a servant girl, and a lad named John Bryce, whose parents lived 
at Rensselaerville. 

The enemy arrived at Dietz's just before night, and surprised 
and killed all the family, except Capt. Dietz and young Bryce, 
then 12 or 14 years old. Robert Rryce, a brother of John, 11 
years old, had been sent on horseback that day to the mill at Bea- 
ver-dam with a grist, in company with several other lads on the 
same errand. Their grain was ground, but as it was nearly sun- 
Many of the most influential families were not only related to each other, but 
were often divided in their political opinions ; and not unfrequently members 
were found in hostile array. Major Frey had a brother named Bernard, who 
joined the enemy, and with some of his former neighbors of the Mohawk 
valley, doubtless assisted in desolating portions of it. Colonel HendrickFrey 
married a sister of General Herkimer, and his patriot brother, Major Frey, 
married another relative of the Genei-al. The wife of Christopher P. Yates 
was the youngest sister of the Freys named. The Finks, Coxes, Klocks, 
Bellingers, Parises, Feeters, Nellises, Foxes, Groses, Eckers, Wagners, 
Seebers, Helmers, Eisenlords, Snells, (seven men of this name were killed in 
the Oriskany battle. — Jour, of N. Y. Congress,) Nestells, Sprakers, Zielies, 
Van Alstynes, Roofs, Van Slycks, Dievendorfs, Fondas, Veeders, Visschers, 
Harpers, Putmans, Quackenbosses, Van Eppses, Wemples, Hansons and Groats 
were also among the patriotic German and Dutch citizens of the Mohawk 
valley ; not a few of whom were connected by ties of consanguinity. 

Of Gen. Herkimer, it may be well here to remark, that he was much better 
informed than many suppose. Says the manuscript of Yates, " I claim not fot 
the General, that he was versed in Latin and Greek, or in the philosophy of 
the German schools; but I claim for him, that no German emigrant was bet. 
ter read in the history of the Protestant reformation, and in the philosophy 
of the Bible, than General Herkimer." I may add, in truth, he possessed 
largely those sterling qualities, good common sense, sympathy, honor, and a 
spirit of bravery in a just cause, unrivalled by that of a Montgomery or De 
Kalb. 



500 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

down they all concluded to tarry with the miller over night, ex- 
cept Bryce, who resolved to return as far as Dietz's, three miles 
toward his home, and stay with his brother. He arrived just at 
twilight near the house, when an Indian sprang from a covert by 
the road-side, and seized his bridle-reins. A short time before his 
arrival, the family had been led out of the house to be murdered, 
agreeable to a savage custom, perhaps that their mangled remains 
may terrify surviving friends ; and as the horse, with Robert still 
on him, was led near the house, the lad discovered the disfigured 
bodies of all the family, except Capt. Dietz and his own brother, 
who were tied to a tree near by. 

The enemy, after plundering the dwelling of such articles as 
they desired, set it on fire, and, with the outbuildings, it was soon 
reduced to ashes. Securing the scalps of the eight bleeding vic- 
tims, or sixty-four dollars worth of American blood in an Eng- 
lish market — after placing their plunder on a number of horses 
belonging to the Dietzes, and that of young Bryce, on which his 
grist was retained for food — they started forward on their tedious 
journey to Canada. They traveled about two miles and encamped 
for the night, distant from the paternal house of the Bryce boys 
about a mile. Little did their parents dream of the fate and fu- 
ture prospects of their sons. By dawn of day next morning, the 
journey was resumed. The Indians desired to take the southern 
route to Niagara, and hoped to gain the sources of the Schoharie 
without molestation. Tidings of the untimely fate of this fami- 
lyjwere next day communicated to the Schoharie forts, and a body 
of troops was dispatched by Col. Vrooman in pursuit. 

Lieut. John Jost Dietz, a relative of the family, who was sent 
from the Lower fort with a party to bury the dead, met them in a 
wagon owned by a neighbor. The bodies had been mutilated by 
hogs, and presented a most revolting appearance. They were 
all deposited in one grave, in a yard attached to a small Reformed 
Dutch church, then standing not far distant from the place of 
massacre. 

Suspecting the route the invaders would take, the Americans 
proceeded up the river, and towards night, on the second day af- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 501 

ter the massacre, fell in with and fired upon them near the head 
waters of the Schoharie. Several of the Indians were wounded, 
but they all effected their escape with their prisoners. They 
however abandoned their horses and plunder at the onset, which 
were restored to the surviving friends of the family. The In- 
dian who claimed ownership to the person of Robert Bryce, was 
badly wounded in one leg by the fire of the Schoharie troops, and 
being unable to keep up with the party, journeyed with his pri- 
soner and two of his partizans at a much slower pace. On arriv- 
ing at the Indian settlements in western New York, Robert was 
initiated into the cruel mysteries of gantlet-running : receiving a 
lesson in which school, on one occasion, nearly cost him his life. 
He was taken to Nine Mile Landing on Lake Ontario ; sold to a 
a Scotchman, who was the captain of a sloop, for fifteen dollars ; 
was removed to Detroit, from whence he was liberated and re- 
turned home, after the proclamation of peace, in company with 
his brother and several hundred prisoners liberated at the same 
time. 

The treatment of Capt. Dietz and the elder Bryce was more 
severe than that of Robert. Their party were greatly straight- 
ened for food on their way, and for several days lived on winter- 
green, birch-bark, and, possibly, a few esculent roots and wild 
berries. On the Susquehanna river, near the mouth of the Una- 
dilla, a deer was shot, which providentially saved them from starv- 
ing. Their progress at this period was very slow, as they were 
compelled daily to spend much of their time in hunting food. 
They journeyed through the Chemung and Genesee valleys, and 
at villages, the prisoners were compelled to endure the running 
ordeal. Added to the stripes of his foes and the gnawings of hun- 
ger, Capt. Dietz suffered the most severe mental agony. He was 
not only doomed to see the blood-stained scalps of his honored 
parents, his bosom companion and four lovely children stretched 
in hoops to tan in the sun, as was the custom, but often to have 
them slapped in his face by the Indian who bore them, in the 
most insulting manner. 

George Warner, who was captured the same season, informed 



502 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

the writer that he saw Capt. Dietz in his confinement at Niagara, 
and conversed with him. The latter appeared heart-stricken and 
in a dechne, under which he sunk to the grave not long after. 
He told Capt. Warner (the latter was a military captain after the 
war) where a certain amount of money had been concealed near 
their dwelling. Capt. W. afterwards understood the treasure had 
been recovered. — Priesfs narrative and Col. Wm. Dietz of Scho- 
harie, corroborated by others. 

Early on the morning of July 4th, Adam Vrooman (a name- 
sake and cousin of " Pull Foot Vrooman," and son of Isaac 
Vrooman, who was killed the preceding fall,) went from the Up- 
.per Schoharie fort, accompanied by Peter Feeck, (the man who 
discovered the rear of the British army on the morning of John- 
son's invasion,) to drive cattle to a pasture near the dwelling of 
the late Cornelius Vrooman. Feeck was driving the cattle as his 
companion went forward to open the gate ; and as the latter was 
in the act of so doing, he received several bullets from a party of 
seven Indians and tories concealed in ambush, and fell dead. 
Feeck fled, and although fired at by the enemy, he reached the 
fort, nearly a mile distant, in safety. On the same morning, Jo- 
seph Brown, who had left the Upper fort on the same errand as 
had Vrooman and Feeck, was captured by the same parly and 
hurried off to Canada. A band of rangers left the fort on the re- 
turn of Feeck, and soon struck the trail of the enemy ; but the 
latter having stolen a number of horses in the neighborhood, ef- 
fected their escape. — Mrs. Van Slyck and Josias E. Vrooman. 

On the morning of July 26th, 1782^ the tory captain, Adam 
Crysler, accompanied by his brother William, another tory named 
Peter Erkert, and twenty-two Indians, appeared in Foxes creek 
valley. They had tarried the preceding night, as was believed, 
at the dwelling of a tory in the vicinity, whose family and prop- 
erty were left unmolested. Early in the morning the destructives 
approached the house of Jacob Zimmer, which was one of the 
first stone dwellings erected in Schoharie county.* 

•This house, situated a little distance from the hamlet called Gallupviilc, 
which dwelling has for many years past been owned and occupied by Theo- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORE. 503 

Jacob Zimmer, sen., was absent when the enemy arrived at his 
house, as was also his son Peter ; the latter, however, had not left 
the neighborhood. Crysler was sadly disappointed in not finding 
the elder Zimmer at home. His namesake was tomahawked and 
scalped in the presence of his wife and mother — two who could 
feel most keenly his loss. The women were not captured, and 
the enemy, after plundering the house, set it on fire, as also 
they did the barn, and then proceeded down the creek. The form- 
er was extinguished by the women, after the ham-burners had 
left, but the barn was reduced to ashes. Proceeding a little dis- 
tance from the house, the party met Peter Zimmer, and took him 
prisoner. Peter enquired of his captors if they had seen his broth- 
er Jacob, and was answered that they had left him at home with 
the women, but did not tell him that the bloody trophy one of their 
number had secured for a British market, was the scalp of his 
near relative. A Hessian, who had entered New York as a sol- 
dier under Burgoyne, and who had chosen to desert and remain in 
the country, was at work for the Zimmers at the time of Crysler's 
invasion, and was also murdered, as his scalp would command 
eight dollars in Canada. Blood was said to have been visible on 
a stone beside the road where this poor Hessian was slain, for a 
great length of time afterwards. 

The morning being unusually foggy, the light of Zimmer's 
house was not discovered by the citizens below, and as they had 
refrained from firing, their proximity was unsuspected. 

At this period, Johannes Becker, one of the earliest German 
settlers on Foxes creek, was still living about two miles below 
Zimmer, and with or near him five sons, Joseph, major of militia, 
George, John, Jacob, and William; and one daughter named 

bold Hilts, unfortunately took fire on the 9th day of March, 1843, and with 
most of its contents soon became a heap of ruins. Mr. Zimmer was a patri- 
ot, a man of influence, and well known in the country, having been associated 
as patentee with John Lawyer and others in the purchase and sale of exten- 
sive tracts of land in Albany county. To secure such a prisioner (possibly 
one of the Schoharie council of safety at the time) was an object not to be 
overlooked by the tory chief; he accordingly led his destructives to Zimmer's 
hoase. Mr. Zimmer had two sons, Jacob and Peter, living with him, who 
were young men grown — the former of whom had a wife also at his father's. 



504 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Maria.* The three brothers, John, Jacob, and William Becker, 
went on the morning of Crysler's invasion, to work in a cornfield 
on the north side of the creek. Arriving at the field, they found 
they had but two hoes, and John, the eldest, sent William, the 
youngest of the three, then twenty-two years old, to the house for 
another hoe. He soon returned with a report that the women 
were hoeing a patch of cabbage, and did not like to part with it. 
As previously stated, many of the farmers concealed their hay and 
grain in the woods during the war, to avoid the enemy's fire- 
brand. The day before this invasion, the brothers had been cut- 
ting brush to make room for several hay stacks, and to open a 
road to the place, some distance from the house. 

When William returned without the hoe, John told him he 
could go and finish the road in the woods, make bars, &c. Wil- 
liam started, but was called back by John, who told him to stay 
and hoe with Jacob, saying that he would go and finish the other 
work himself, as then he would be sure of its being done to suit 
him! John was afterwards found dead, lying upon the brush he 
had been cutting, and appeared not to have moved after he re- 
ceived the blow of a tomahawk. The brim and lower part of his 
hat crown were cut open, and the weapon had penetrated the 
brain. It was supposed that an Indian had stolen up behind him 
unobserved, and felled him to the earth, where he scalped and 
left him. As the enemy went directly from Zimmer's to the field 
where the Becker brothers had been at work the day before, it 
was supposed that their place of labor had been communicated by 
some tory in the settlement. Soon after John had left his bro- 
thers hoeing, William discovered the enemy in the upper side of 
the field, approaching them, and directed Jacob's attention that 
way. Both at the same instant let fall their hoes and ran towards 
home. Rightly conjecturing that their foes would if possible cut 
off their retreat to the house, they ran directly to the bank of the 

* Joseph Becker had two sons, George three, John one, and Jacob four ; 
nearly all of whom are now residents of Schoharie county. Johannes Becker 
died soon after the war was over, and Major Becker, his oldest son, died 
Aug. 21st, 1806, the latter in the 68th year of his age. 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 505 

creek not far above the house, and opposite a small island that 
has since disappeared. At this place the stream was deep, and 
they had to diverge from their course to cross a log which ex- 
tended from the shore to the island. They dashed down the bank 
with an impetus that carried them both into the water, and Jacob 
fell down ; but regaining his feet he reached the log, crossed, and 
ran up on the south side of the island, hotly pursued by a single 
Indian, who had to make the same circuit to cross or else swim 
the stream — the others having gone below to head them, sup- 
posing they would run to the house. Jacob, who was closely 
followed by the warrior with uplifted tomahawk, on arriving at a 
place on the southern shore of the island, which terminated bold- 
ly, sprang down the bank and remained quiet. William ran but 
a few rods beyond his brother, and also secreted himself beneath 
the bank. The pursuing Indian ran to within a few feet of where 
Jacob lay, halted, and looked up the stream in vain, to catch an- 
other glimpse of the fugitives — little suspecting that one of them 
was almost within reach of him — near where he had last seen 
him, and who doubtless was still visible had he looked down. 
He gave up the chase, crossed the island, passing very near the 
concealment of William, gained the north bank of the creek, and 
hastened to join his companions below. The Indians did not fire 
on the young men, as they hoped to surprise Maj. Becker and 
some others near by. The brothers remained concealed until the 
firing began at the house, and then crossed the creek and went 
into the woods, east of their corn-field. When the enemy left 
the valley, they passed so near the concealed brothers, that the 
latter distinctly heard them talk. 

Maj. Becker, at that period, owned and occupied a substantial 
stone dwelling, the present residence of his son Henry, late a 
judge of the county ; and near it stood a grist mill owned by him, 
which was one of the earliest erected mills in Schoharie county. 
The dwelling is pleasantly situated upon a knoll on the south side 
of the creek, at a little distance from the Albany road, and had at 
that period a gambrel roof. A hall passes through it from north 
to south, with a door at each end. The house contained five front 

33 



506 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

and five rear windows ; and at that time two chamber windows in 
the east gable end, since altered. The upper part of the house was 
unfinished and all in one room ; and the windows were barricaded 
nearly to the top with oak plank. The front door was closed 
np with plank, and the back door, then the only entrance to the 
house, strengthened by a false door also of oak, to arrest the bul- 
lets of an enemy. Just before Crysler and his murderers arrived 
at Maj. Becker's, Henry, his son, then nine years old, Jacob Zim- 
mer, jun., (nephew of the one murdered) and several other boys 
about the same age, had been a little distance southeast of the 
house to drive hogs to a pasture. On their return, and when 
within ten or fifteen rods of the house, one of the boys said to the 
rest, " See the rifle-men over there ; they are painted like the In- 
dians !" The Schoharie Rangers when on a scout, were often 
clad much like Indians : but young Becker instantly recognized 
the party to be a band of savages. A few rods above the house 
was a small island containing perhaps an acre of ground, sepa- 
rated from the bank southeast of the dwelling, by a deep pool of 
stagnant water, over which had been felled a tree. The enemy 
being upon the island, had either to make quite a circuit or cross 
the log, which could only be done in single file. This gave the 
boys a little start and they ran to the house shouting, ''Indians ! 
Indians!" They could easily have been shot, as they were but a 
few rods distant from the enemy, but the latter still hoped to sur- 
prise a militia major, which would doubtless have been done, had 
not the boys thus opportunely discovered their approach. Major 
Becker chanced to be engaged back of the house — caught the 
alarm, and running in seized his gun — entered the south west room 
— thrust it through a loop-hole above one of the windows, and fired 
on the invaders, breaking an Indian's arm. As the boys ran into 
the hall door, they encountered several children within ; and all 
tumbled in a heap. Major Becker's wife, who was a woman of 
the times, sprang to the plank door which fastened with a ring 
and bolt — drew it to, and held it ajar with the bolt in her hand. 
John Hutt, as the enemy approached, was at the western end of 
the house making a whiffletree. Mrs. Becker continued to hold 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 507 

the door open for Hutt, who took the alarm from the furious bark- 
ing of three large dogs belonging to the inmates of the house, 
which had met and were giving battle to the invaders, who halted 
to shoot them. As Hutt neared the door, a large Indian sprang 
to seize him ; but the former raising the missile which he had re- 
tained in his hand, in a threatening manner, the latter recoiled and 
he sprang into the door, which was quickly bolted by the Major's 
Spartan wife. Had not Mrs. Becker possessed great presence of 
mind, and the dogs met the enemy, Hutt must have either been 
slain or captured by them. The shot of Maj. Becker may also 
have damped the ardor of the assailants. George Shell, another 
Schoharie soldier, was fortunately in the house at the time, and 
assisted in its defence. 

The inmates of the dwelling consisting of the three men named, 
Mrs. Becker, Mrs. Adam Zimmer, possibly one or two other wo- 
men, and some eight or ten children, went up stairs. The Major 
took his station at the south-west corner window, which com- 
manded the enemy's approach to his barn, assigned to Hutt the 
eastern gable windows ; and to Shell the north west window op- 
posite his own, which commanded their approach to the mill, 
which stood a few rods from the house upon ground now occu- 
pied by the race-way of the present mill. The lower sash of the 
upper windows was also secured by plank. The enemy immedi- 
ately ran round the eastern end of the house and there gained 
temporary shelter, some under the creek bank, some behind a 
fence, and others behind a small log building standing at a little 
distance south east of the house, used as a sort of store-room. 
The enemy fired numerous balls in at the windows, twenty-eight 
enterino- the window Hutt was stationed at. He was a bold, vi- 
gilant fellow, and often incurred the censure of Maj. Becker for 
exposing his person so much about the window, telling him that 
the force of the enemy was unknown, but their own was three 
mm, the loss of one being one third of their strength. Hutt, how- 
ever, could not be restrained by the prudent counsels of the Major, 
and kept constantly returning the shots of the enemy. Discover- 
ing through a crcinny of the log building the hat of one of his foes. 



508 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Hutt sent a bullet through the brim of it close to the crown. 
This hat, it was afterwards ascertained, was on the head of Capt. 
Crysler. The balls of the enemy cut the air several times around 
the head of Hutt like the fall of hail in a hurricane, but fortunately 
without injury. 

While a part of the invaders were firing in at the windows, one 
of their number W'as discovered by Shell crawling along the bank 
of the creek, which was then steeper than at present, with a brand 
of fire, intent on burning the mill. Shell was an eccentric fellow, 
and had acquired the habit of thinking out loud. Aiming his rifle 
at the foe, he was heard by several in the room to think much as 
follows : " Ah! that's what you're at, is it? you go a little fur- 
ther and you'll catch it. JYow, look out ; I'll give it to you. 
When you get there, you[get it ; there, there ; that will do !" In 
the midst of this soliloquy, his head in motion the while, crack 
went his rifle ; and he continued. There, he has it; he's down; 
one less ; you wont come again; now bu^n the mill will you ! you 
infernal Indian /" 

After continuing the attack as narrated for some time, the ene- 
my attempted to fire the building. They placed a wheel-barrow 
under the water conductor leading from the gutter at the north 
east corner of the house, to within three or four feet of the 
ground ; and piling on combustibles, set them on fire, which 
quickly communicated with the wooden spout, and threatened the 
destruction of the building. It was impossible for the inmates of the 
house to fire on their foes w^hile applying the incendiary torch, 
without exposing themselves to almost certain death, as some of 
the Indians were constantly on the look- out for such an exposure. 
As the flame began to ascend the gutter toward the roof. Major 
Becker, who had no inclination to be burned alive, set about forc- 
ing off" the corner of it with a piece of scantling, which fortune 
placed in the chamber, while his wife went into the cellar to pro- 
cure water. On entering the cellar, she found an outside cellar- 
door upon the north side of the building, standing wide open, 
where the enemy might have entered had they gone to the other 
end of the building, which they could have done without danger. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



509 



Fastening the door, and procuring a pail of water ; she returned 
to the chamber. 




MAJOR BECKER'S HOUSE INVADED BY THE ENEMY. 

For a time the roof, which was nailed on with heavy wrought 
nails as was the ancient custom, baffled all the major's efforts , 
but it at length yielded, and he sank down almost exhausted. As 
the shingles fell to the ground, the Indians gathered them up, ex- 
claiming, " Yok-wah .'" Thank you ! And added in their dialect 
" we can kindle it now."" A hole being made, water was throwi 
down, and the spout was extinguished. The enemy soon had it 
blazing again with additional combustibles, and then remarked, 
also in their own tongue, Chock-iuot de wink-wock F\ It now 
hums like tobacco ! It was again put out, and again enkindled and 
and put out, until the spout had burned off above their reach, 
when they abandoned further attempts to set the house on fire. 
Supposing their firing would be heard at the Lower fort, some 
three miles distant, the assailants took French leave of the premi- 



510 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ses about nine o'clock, A. M., and buried themselves in the forest ; 
having been about the Becker house several hours. 

The father and mother of the Becker brothers, with a child of 
Shell, (who was in the stone-house,) who lived just below Major 
Becker, and where Robert Coats now resides, taking the alarm on 
the enemy's approach, fled towards the fort along the southern 
bank of the creek. They were discovered, and fired on by the 
invaders, and several balls struck a fence near them, before they 
were out of danger ; but the enemy being so intent on the cap- 
ture of Maj. Becker, and plunder of his house, did not pursue 
them and they escaped. Adam Zimmer and John Enders, who 
fled on the approach of the enemy from the vicinity of Maj. Beck- 
er's, carried news of the invasion to the Lower fort, then com- 
manded by Captain Brown ; when a party of Americans under 
Lieut. Snyder sallied forth, and arrived at the scene of action just 
after Crysler and his followers had left. The state of the atmos- 
phere was such, that, what is surprising, the firing at Becker's was 
heard at the Middle Fort, six or seven miles distant and not heard 
at the Lower fort, less than half as remote. 

After the enemy retired from Becker's, the supposed Indian 
w^hom Shell had shot, was found to have fallen partly in the wa- 
ter and was not dead. He was taken into the house, and doctor 
Werth called to examine his w^ound, who pronounced it mortal ; 
the ball having passed diagonally through the body at the shoul- 
ders. The man was now discovered to be a painted tory mstead 
of an Indian ; and was shortly after recognized to be Erkert, a 
Scotch cooper, who had made flour-barrels for Maj. Becker be- 
fore the war. The major, on making the recognition, accused the 
tory of ingratitude. Said he, " when you came to me for work, 
I employed you, and always paid you well ; and now you come 
with a band of savages to murder me and my family ; plunder and 
and burn myb uildings." The man appeared very penitent as cer- 
tain death was before him ; expressed his sorrow for the course he 
had taken, and said " he did not then care which succeeded. King 
or Congress." He was scalped in the afternoon by a friendly In- 
dian named Yan, (a son of David, who was killed by the cav- 






AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 511 

airy under Col. Harper, in 1777,) and on the following morning 
he was summoned to the bar of his Maker, to render an account 
" for the deeds done in the body." The victims of Crysler's in- 
vasion at Foxes creek, were buried in rough boxes with their 
clothes on. — Jacob and Wm. Becker, who escaped hy flight; Judge 
Becker and Jacob Zimmer,jr., two of the boys who discovered the 
enemy near the house ; and the manuscript of Judge Hager. 

John Snyder, known after the war as " Schoharie John," and 
Peter Mann, of Foxes creek, were captured in the morning by Crys- 
ler and party, as the former were returning from Beaver-dam; Mann 
was however liberated in Kneiskern's dorf. The enemy proceeded 
from the estuary of Cobelskill and the Schoharie, up the former 
stream. 

On the following day in the present town of Cobelskill, George 
Warner, jun., who was engaged in shifting horses from one field 
to another, was captured by Crysler and his destructives, who di- 
rected their course from thence to the Susquehanna. Warner in- 
stantly recognized as one of the master spirits among his captors, 
the Schoharie chief Seth's Henry, who still carried upon his arm 
the indellible evidence of Sawyer's ' strike for liberty,^ when a 
captive in his hands. The second day after leaving Cobelskill, 
the whole party were obliged to subsist on horse flesh without 
bread or seasoning of any kind. Warner, who communicated 
these facts to the author, said he ate on the way to Niagara, of a 
deer, a wolf, a rattlesnake, and a hen-hawk, but without bread or 
salt. The two captives, Zimmer and Warner, were lightly bound, 
and generally fared alike while on their journey. They had for 
some days contemplated making their escape, and complaining 
that they could not travel on account of their cords, they were 
a little loosened, which favored their plan. They concluded they 
ought, in justice, to communicate their intention to their fellow 
prisoner, although he was not bound, and give him a chance to es- 
cape with them, if he chose to embrace it. But a short time after 
their intention was communicated to a third person, the conspi- 
rators for liberty were more firmly bound then ever, and were af- 
terwards continually watched until they arrived at Niagara. 



512 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Nights they were pinioned so tight that they could not get their 
hands together ; and were secured by a rope tied to a tree or pole, 
upon which rope an Indian always laid down. 

On their way, the party passed several rattle-snakes, which the 
Indians avoided disturbing ; and at the narrows on the Chemung, 
which was barely wide enough for a road, they, with no little dif- 
ficulty, made a circuit to pass one. The New York Indians had 
a superstitious notion, that to harm a rattle-snake was ominous of 
evil, and they never did it, unless to use the reptile for medicinal 
purposes, or prevent starvation. While on their journey, Snyder, 
from some cause, had angry words with one of the savages, and 
the latter several times twirled a tomahawk over his head, and 
drew a scalping knife round the crown threateningly : but they 
made up friends and renewed their march. The Schoharie pri- 
soners also passed on their way, another party of Indians, who 
were killing a prisoner in a singular manner. His captors had 
tied his wrists together and drawn them over his knees, after which 
a stick was passed under the knees and over the wrists, and a 
rope tied to it between them, and thrown over the limb of a tree. 
His tormenters then drew him up a distance and let him fall by 
slacking the rope ; continuing their hellish sport until the con- 
cussion extinguished the vital spark. 

Soon after the party passed the outlet of Seneca lake, Captain 
Crysler told the prisoners, tauntingly, how soon the Kiixg would 
conquer the rebels. Warner listened with impatience for a time, 
and being unable to restrain his feelings, replied, " I do not be- 
lieve the King will ever conquer the colonies : in the French war 
Great Britain and America united were hardly able to compete 
with France ; and now, since France and America are united, I 
do not believe it possible for England to conquer them." This 
conversation took place in the evening, and Warner observed, 
while speaking, that a frown rested upon the brows of the dusky 
warriors and their lawless captain. Warner soon after heard the 
tory give orders in the Indian tongue, which he understood, to 
have his bands tightened. In the morning, he expostulated with 
Crysler for so doing j who was very angry and declared, that 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 513 

^^for those, cursed words he should hang at noon." Accordingly 
a noose was made in a rope, and the rest of it coiled and placed 
around his neck, which he was compelled to wear. As may be 
supposed, he traveled the forest with a heavy heart : still he 
looked upon the gallows with no little indifference, as it would 
end his bodily torments, and relieve him from the treatment of an 
unfeeling royalist. About 10 o'clock, A. M., the party halted, as 
Warner supposed, to anticipate the time of his execution ; but, 
contrary to his expectation, the rope was taken off without any 
explanation. 

Warner and Zimmer, on arriving at the Indian villages in 
western New York, were subjected to the cruelties their customs 
inflicted on captives. The first treatment of the kind they re- 
ceived was from a gad in the hands of Molly Brant, (former 
housekeeper of Sir William Johnson,) who embraced every op- 
portunity during the war to insult and injure captive Americans. 
Soon after Molly had vented her spleen upon the two bound cap- 
tives, they arrived at an Indian castle, where they had to run the 
gantlet. When the lines were formed, an Indian chief called 
Abraham, who recognized Warner, stepped up to him and asked 
him, in German, where he was from. He replied, Schoharie. 
" Do you know George Warner of Cobelskill ?" continued the 
Indian. " He is my father," replied young Warner. This Indian, 
as Warner afterwards learned, had often partaken of his father's 
hospitality before the war. Said the Indian, " When you start 
to run, the boys will get before you, but you must run over them 
or push them one side ; they will not hurt you any the more for 
it, and when you get through, run to a wigwam and you will not 
again be hurt." Their fellow prisoner was not compelled to run, 
and as it happened, Zimmer started first. As the Indian had an- 
ticipated, the boys ran before him and he was receiving a severe 
castigation, when Warner, forcing his way past him, ran down 
several of the living obstacles, and was near the end of the lines 
almost untouched : where stood a large boy, who, as he bounded 
along, dealt him a blow upon the back of his head, which felled 
him senseless to the ground. Zimmer, who had not heard the 



514 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

conversation between Warner and the Indian, and feared to harm 
the boys, followed his companion closely in the path he had opened, 
and arrived at the goal of delivery, without having sustained any 
serious injury. 

On arriving within half a mile of Niagara, Peter Ball, who 
had removed at the beginning of the war to Canada, from the vi- 
cinity of Schoharie, saw and recognized Warner, and led him 
away from the squaws and young Indians, who were besetting him 
at every step with some missile. Zimmer saw on the journey, 
his brother's scalp, with those of the other similar trophies of 
Crysler's invasion, stretched upon hoops to dry ; and on arriving 
at Niagara, saw them deposited, with bushels of similar British 
merchandize, made up of the crown scalps of both sexes and all 
ages. There were about two hundred prisoners confined at Ni- 
agara when Warner and Zimmer were there, many of whom fared 
hard, and several of whom died for want of food and pro- 
per treatment. Among the prisoners confined at Niagara there 
were nearly one hundred Virginia riflemen, some of whom, to say 
the least, feared nothing in this world. 

Warner, for a considerable time during his captivity, worked 
for a man living near Niagara, as did' also Christian Price, a spi- 
rited Virginian. In the latter part of the war, several Indians 
were found dead at different times, early in the morning, but the 
author of those midnight mysteries, although the prisoners were 
often accused of them, were never discovered, nothwithstanding 
numbers were sometimes in the secret. Among the victims who 
were thus sacrificed in revenge of the cruelties and indignities me- 
ted to the American prisoners, was a young Indian, sixteen or 
seventeen years old, known about the fort as William Johnson. 
He was a half-breed, said to have been a son of Sir Wm. Johnson, 
after whom he was called, by a squaw. This namesake of the 
Baronet, who was one among numerous evidences of his rakish 
propensity, was one morning discovered in a barrel of rain water, 
under the conductor of a house, into which he had unaccountably 
fallen head first and drowned. Several prisoners were sus- 
pected of being accessory to the death of this Indian, but free 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 515 

masonry was then at its zenith. The tories on one occasion gave 
a stump to the prisoners to wrestle. Price, who was a muscular, 
athletic fellow, accepted the challenge and walked into the ring 
to wrestle with the acknowledged bully. The prisoner, with ease, 
threw the braggadocio in a Very feelmg manner, and the sport 
was soon ended. Warner was retained a prisoner until after peace 
was proclaimed, and with twenty-three others ran away from Ni- 
agara one Sunday night. They halted at Oswego, purchased pro- 
visions of the British soldiers, and made the best of their way 
home through the forest. Zimmer returned home a short time 
before Warner, on parole. Snyder, on arriving in Canada, en- 
listed into the British service, as his friends have stated, to afford 
him an opportunity to desert and return home. 

If the American prisoners at Niagara usually fared hard, they 
occasionally had an hour of merriment, as the following anecdote 
will show. 

A Tory Wedding. — Among the tories who removed from Scho- 
harie county to Niagara, in the beginning of the war, was a man 
named Cockle, who had a pretty daughter called Peggy. On a 
certain occasion an Irishman named Patrick Tuffts, who 
worked much in Col. Butler's garden, and who was a dissipated, 
simple fellow, was made the butt of no little pleasantry. The 
farce was set on foot by a British officer, and the matter princi- 
pally conducted by him. Tuffts was induced to make love to the 
charming Peggy, who, agreeably to previous arrangements, re- 
ciprocated the sentiment, and at an appointed time, agreed to 
marry him. Christian Price, the Virginian previously mentioned, 
who in features somewhat resembled the fair toryess, was in the 
secret, and on the evening appointed, changed dresses with her, 
so that, to use the words of a guest, " Peggy was Price and Price 
was Peggy." At the hour appointed, the guests, who were nu- 
merous, for many of the prisoners were invited, assembled at the 
house of an influential tory. Stephen Secutt, a sergeant, a shrewd 
fellow, acted the ministerial part. The couple stood up before 
Secutt, who, with no little sang-froid, performed the marriage 
ceremony ; at the close of which he received from the happified son 



516 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

of Erin a silver dollar — a rarity in those days — to compensate for 
his official services. 

Ample provision had been made by the officers and soldiers, 
and when the knot was pronounced tied, wine sparkled in many 
a cup. After the party had been drinking for some time, and the 
groom and bride had received many happy salutations, the tones 
of a violin greeted the ear, and the party prepared for a dance. 
The bride, who had been sitting a while in the lap of TufFts, who 
was at least " half seas over," arose to dance with a guest as 
partner — the groom never having visited France, unless it were 
to — " lend us your grid-iron." In the midst of the dance Mistress 
Tuffts allowed her partner certain liberties, which the groom, be- 
ing told by a guest was very improper, arose to resent. Bound- 
ing into the figure with a rash oath, he changed it into a reel by 
knocking down his wife. Mistress Tuffts sprang from the floor 
and ran out of the room to doff the petticoat and gown ; and soon 
after returned as Christian Price, to bathe a black eye with a 
glass of wine. Tuffts, poor fellow, was soon to be seen stagger- 
ing amid the delighted company, inquiring for his wife. At 
length he inquired of Warner if he had seen her. " You have no 
wife," was the answer. " Yes I have — eh," said Tuffts ; " I am 
lawfully married — eh. Did I not pay a silver dollar to be mar- 
ried — eh ?" " Yes, you are married," said Warner, " to Chris- 
tian Price" This was a poser, and he could not at first credit 
the story of his deception ; but after being ridiculed by the whole 
party, and jeered until nearly sober, he withdrew from the scene 
of merriment made at his expense, to mourn over the result of his 
precipitate marriage, which had wedded him to a man, and taken 
from him his only dollar. Had he ever seen the Latin line so of- 
ten quoted, he would no doubt have exclaimed, on counting over 
his beads and retiring to rest — Tempora ! Mores ! ! — George 
Warner. 

About the 1st of September, 17S1, a party of twenty or thirty 
of the enemy, mostly Indians, by whom led I have not been able 
to learn, entered the lower part of the Cobelskill settlement, which 
took in that part of the town now known as Cobelskill village. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 517 

or The Churches. The enemy, on entering the settlement, sur- 
prised and killed George Frimire, and captured his brother, John 
Frimire, with George Fester, Abraham Bouck, a boy, John Nich- 
olas, and Nicholas, Peter, and William Utman, brothers. After 
plundering and burning the dwellings and out-buildings which 
had eseaped the enemy's visitation four years previous, they pass- 
ed in the afternoon near the fort, then feebly garrisoned. As there 
was but little ammunition in the fort, fevi^ shots were fired upon 
the enemy, who did not incline to attack it. The dwelling of Ja- 
cob Shafer was picketed in, and a little distance outside the in- 
closure stood two large barns owned by him. Two Indians, with 
fire-brands, approached these barns, whereupon Shafer, declaring 
" My property is as dear as my life /" with gun in hand, left the 
fort, followed by Christopher King, a young man of spirit. As 
they advanced towards the ham-burners they gave a savage war- 
whoop, drew up their guns, and fired ,• and the Indians, abandon- 
ing their design, showed their heels in rapid flight. That night 
the enemy stayed at the house of one Borst^ which they burned 
in the morning, and soon after again passed near the fort, upon 
which several of them then fired, without, however, doing any 
injury. The enemy then disappeared, probably pursuing the usu- 
al southwestern route to Niagara. The treatment those prisoners 
received has not come to the knowledge of the writer, but it was 
undoubtedly of that character usually experienced by captives 
among the Indians — suffering from exposure, possibly torture, hun- 
ger, and the gantlet. — Capt. George Warner, {this old hero died 
April 4, 1844, aged 86 1 years,) and Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Tu- 
nis Vrooman, before named, who was in the Cobelskillfort when 
invaded. 

The reader will remember that when Brant desolated the upper 
part of Cobelskill in 1778, the log house of the elder George 
Warner was spared from conflagration, as was then supposed, to 
afford an opportunity to capture a committee man. Feeling too 
poor to erect a frame dwelling upon the ashes of his former one, 
he took up his winter residence in his old log dwelling. Seth's 
Henry, and six other Indians, who had traversed the forest from 



518 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Niagara to Cobelskill, at that inclement season, (a distance, by 
their route, of at least three hundred miles,) for the sole purpose 
of capturing Warner, who was known to be an influential whig, 
arrived in the vicinity of his dweUing on Sunday, the 11th day of 
December, 1782. On the same day Nicholas Warner, his oldes 
son, went from one of the Schoharie forts to the paternal dwel- 
ling in a sleigh, accompanied by Joseph Earner, to get a lumber- 
sleigh owned by the former, for the winter's use of which the lat- 
ter had agreed to pay him one dollar — a dollar being as valuable 
in the then impoverished state of the country as half a dozen 
would be at the present day. When Warner and Earner were 
fastening one sled to the other, one of their horses broke loose and 
ran into the woods, and while they were recovering the animal 
the enemy arrived. On surprising old Mr. W^arner, one or two 
shots were fired to intimidate him, which, as it snowed very fast, 
were unheard by his son and companion. Catching the stray 
horse, they returned and fastened the team to the sleds. As they 
drove past the house they discovered the Indians, three of whom 
attempted to take them. In making a little circuit to avoid the 
enemy, the horses were driven partly into the top of a fallen tree, 
when the friends attempted to cut loose the back sleigh. At this 
time two of the Indians fired upon them, the third reserving his 
fire. The horses ran partly over a log concealed in the snow, and 
the hindmost sleigh, not running true, struck a sapling and drew 
the box off, and Warner under it. Earner, having the reins, was 
drawn over the box, and remained upon the sleigh bottom. When 
Warner regained his feet, he observed that the Indian who had 
reserved his fire, had advanced to within some twenty paces of 
him, with a steady aim upon his person, — and conscious of the 
danger he must encounter to regain the sleigh, he abandoned the 
attempt, and told his comrade, still holding his restive steeds, to 
secure his own flight if he could, and leave him to his fate. He 
then drove off, and Warner became a prisoner. Soon after, one 
of the Indians, who knew him, enquired if he could shoot as good 
as he once could ? His reply was, " I can, on a proper occasion." 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 519 

Mrs. Warner and a daughter who chanced to be at home, were 
left unharmed. After plundering the house of such articles as 
they desired, and securing a quantity of meat and flour to afford 
them subsistence for several days, the Indians, with their prison- 
ers, some time in the afternoon, set off" up the creek, pursuing the 
most direct route to the Susquehanna. The snow was then near- 
ly knee deep, and receiving copious accessions : the party, there- 
fore, could not travel very rapidly. They proceeded about six 
miles and encamped, when they boiled a portion of their meat in 
a stolen teakettle — sad perversion of its use, as the tidy house- 
wife will say — for their supper. When cooked, an Indian cut it 
as nearly as possible into nine equal parts ; then a second Indian 
turned his back, and a third gave owners to each mess ; as fisher- 
men and hunters often do, by " touching it off":" which is done 
by pointing at a portion, unobserved by another individual, with 
the familiar demand, who shall have that ? — whose reply gives it 
a lawful ovv^ner. 

When captured, the younger Warner had on " Dutch shoes" — 
brogans. Observing that, the Indian who claimed him as prison- 
er (who could speak Low Dutch, which he partially understood,) 
asked him if he would trade a pair of mocasons with him for his 
shoes — taking them off", and making known by signs what he 
could not fully communicate in Dutch. Said he to the Indian, " I 
am your prisoner, and if I freeze my feet and cannot keep up with 
you, you will kill me : I now look to you for protection as to a 
father, and will try to love you as such." The Indian compre- 
hended enough of what his prisoner had said to arrive at his 
meaning, and made the exchange. Warner then put on the mo- 
casons, which were made with leggins, and buttoned his breeches 
over them ; when the Indians, to use his own words, " Looked mid 
at one another." He thought they exchanged very significant 
looks, and fearing they suspected his intention, already conceived, 
of making his escape, he moved about a little and rubbed his legs, 
as if the better to adjust his new disguise, and then seated himself 
before the fire, with his hands clenched across his knees. Instead 
of allaying, his last movement had a tendency to increase the sus- 



520 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

picion and vigilance of his dusky captors ; otserving •which, he 
took off "the mocasons, folded them up with care and put them in- 
to the bosom of his shirt ; which lulled all suspicion. Said War- 
ner, at our interview in 1837, " To relate what took place on the 
night I was a prisoner with the Indians, now makes the cold chills 
run over me." The party laid down early to sleep, but the young- 
er Warner, intent upon escaping, did not close his eyes; and 
about midnight, thinking all were slumbering, he arose and ran 
off — directing his footsteps homeward. He had hardly started, as 
his father afterwards informed him, when his escape was discov- 
ered, and four of the enemy were in pursuit ; but as it was still 
snowing fast, and dark as the rotunda of Gebhard's cavern, they 
could not catch a glimpse of, much less follow him. He took a 
circuitous route in his flight, conjecturing that if pursued it would 
be on the back track, which was in fact the case. The Indians 
ran but a short distance and abandoned pursuit, fearing they might 
be troubled to retrace their steps to their own camp. Warner 
ran several miles with one hand before him, to prevent striking 
the trees. He crossed the creek six times in his flight, which he 
was as often conscious of, and arrived at Fort Duboise, nine miles 
from his captor's encampment, just at daylight. There was an 
old body of snow on the ground which was stiff, and the falling 
snow being damp readily packed upon it, otherwise he must have 
worn out his stockings and frozen his feet. 

The elder Warner did not attempt to escape, but was watched 
with vigilance night and day. He must have suffered much from 
cold, but little from hunger ; as one of the party was an expert 
hunter, and usually supplied plenty of food of some kind. Nim- 
rod was however ill a few days and the party did not fare as well ; 
but when others brought in game, he usually took good care to 
fill his meat basket, and soon recovered. An Englishman pre- 
fers going into battle upon a full stomach, and an Indian being 
sick upon the same allowance. It was considered an honorable 
affair to capture an influential whig, besides entitling to a very lib- 
eral reward ; and as Warner was one of the most noted in the 
Schoharie settlements, his captors were anxious to deliver him in 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 521 

Canada^ and he was treated with greater forbearance and kind- 
ness on his way, than was any other captive who went from the 
Schoharie settlements during the war. The flour taken from War- 
ner's was boiled in the teakettle, and usually eaten by the Indians, 
who gave the prisoner meat ; reversing the usual treatment of 
captives in their anxiety to deliver him safely in Canada. Af- 
ter the escape of his son, five of the Indians usually kept watch 
over Warner in the early part of the night and two in the latter 
part. One of the Indians treated the captive committee man with 
the kindness of a brother all the way to Niagara. On arriving 
at the Indian settlements in western New York, this Indian took 
him by the hand and led him unhurt outside the lines which had 
been formed for his reception, to the displeasure of those, who 
had from infancy been taught to delight in tortures and cruelty. 
A prisoner being led by his captor outside the gantlet lines, was 
an evidence of protection and exemption from abuse seldom ever 
violated. 

While Mr. Wai-ner was a captive he frequently sung a hymn 
in German. The young Indians almost invariably would begin 
to mock him, but if the name of the Deity was introduced, they 
usually understood it, and if so it never failed to produce their si- 
lence ; such reverence had those unlettered sons of the forest for 
the Great Spirit of the Universe. Indeed, the Indians of the Six 
Nations had no words in their dialect by which they could pro- 
fane the name of Jehovah, and if they did so, it was in the lan- 
guage of their white neighbors.* Soon after his arrival in Canada, 
Mr. Warner was sent to Rebel Island near Montreal, where he 
was given parole liberty. 

After an absence of about eleven months, Mr. Warner %vas ex- 
changed, and being sworn to secrecy, returned home by the north 
eastern route, coming through Hartford, Conn. ; and what was 
unusual, was better clad on his return than at the time of his cap- 
ture. Had all the captive Americans been treated with the kind- 
ness and forbearance of George Warner, sen., the horrors of our 

• A fact communicated by Joseph Brant, to a friend of the author. 

34 



522 HISTORY OF SCHOHAEIE COUNTY, 

border wars had been greatly mitigated, and the suffering, which 
in the aggregate was most astounding, rendered comparatively 
trifling.* 

Gen. Washington, while at Albany in the summer of 1782, 
was invited by the citizens to visit Schenectada.f He accepted 
the invitation, and in company with Gen. Schuyler, rode there in 
a carriage from Albany on the 30th of June ; where he was re- 
ceived with no little formality by the civil and military authorities, 
and escorted some distance by a numerous procession, in which he 
walked with his hat under his arm. Abraham CHnch, who came 
to America as drum-major under Gen. Braddock, then kept a tav- 
ern in Schenectada, and at his house a public dinner was given. 
Having previously heard of his sufferings, one of the first persons 
Washington enquired after, was Col. Frederick Fisher, who was 
then residing in the place. He expressed surprise that the colo- 
nel had not been invited to meet him, and agreeable to his request 
a messenger was sent for him. He was a man of real merit, but 
modest and retiring in his habits. On this occasion, he was found 

*The particulars of the capture of the two Warners, were obtained from 
Nicholas Warner in the fall of 1837 : at that time he had a cancer on his 
mouth, which terminated his existence on the 27th day of July, 183S. He 
was 91 years old on the 31st day of October preceding his death. 

t This ancient town, at a time when England and France were at war, was 
invaded by 250 French and Indian warriors, who made the journey from Ca- 
nada in the depth ol winter expressly to destroy it. The village, then num- 
bering about 40 good dwellings, was inclosed by pallisades, and approached 
by two gates. As the visit of an enemy was not anticipated at that incle- 
ment season, the gates were both left open, and had been for some weeks. 
On Saturday night, Feb. 8, 1690, the invaders entered the town by the west- 
ern gate, and separating into small parties, began an indiscriminate slaughter 
of the inhabitants. Many of the male citizens were killed in the onset; but 
of those persons who escaped at the eastern gate, some 20 arrived in Albany, 
more or less frost-bitlen, having fled nearly naked in the snow, a distance of 
sixteen miles, while others perished by the way. Sixty persons, mostly wo- 
men and children, were carried into captivity, the town all plundered and 
burnt, except two dwellings. The commanders ordereJ the casks of liquor 
found in the place all stove, to prevent the men from getting drunk. A party 
of cavalry from Albany, joined by a band of brave Mohawks, were soon on 
their trail, and overtaking them in a favorable place, fell upon their rear and 
slew 25 of them. The remainder, after much suffering, arrived in Canada 
with their scalps and plunder. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 523 

at work in his barn, which, under the circumstances, he left with 
reluctance, but was kindly greeted by the illustrious guest, who 
paid him marked attention. 

At the dinner table were assembled a respectable number of 
gentlemen, among M'hom were Gen. Schuyler, Colonels Ab'm 
Wemple and Fr. Fisher ; Majors Ab'm Switz, Myndert Wemple, 
and Jelles Fonda ; Captains Peter Truax and John Mynderson ; 
Henry Glen, Dep. Com. Gen., and Isaac Truax, then the oldest 
man in the place. Washington assigned the seat next his own to 
Col. Fisher. — Isaac De Graff and John J. Schermerhorn. 

This was indeed a proud day for " Old Dorp."* Some person 
publicly addressed the visitor on the occasion, and before return- 
ing to Albany, he wrote the following reply : 

'* To the Magistrates and Military Ojjicers of the town of Schenec- 
tady : 

" Gentlemen : — I request you to accept my warmest thanks for 
your affectionate address. 

" In a cause so just and righteous as ours, we have every reason 
to hope the Divine Providence will still continue to crown our arms 
with success, and finally compel our enemies to grant us that peace 
upon equitable terms, which we so ardently desire. 

" May you, and the good people of this town, in the mean time, 
be protected from every insidious and open foe, and may the com- 
plicated blessings of peace soon reward your arduous struggles for 
the establishment of the freedom and independence of our com- 
mon country. 

" GO. WASHINGTON. 
" Schenectady, June 20th, 1782." 

The following anecdote originated at Schenectada during the 
visit of Gen. W^ashington. He was walking a public street in 
company with Brower Banker, a respectable citizen, and black- 
smith by trade, when an old negro passing took off his hat and 
bowed to him : the great commander immediately returned the 
compliment. Banker expressed surprise that his companion thus 
noticed this descendant of Ishmael, observing it was not the cus- 
tom of the country thus to notice slaves. " / cannot be less civil 

•This is the Dutch word for town, and when used within a hundred miles 
of the place * understood lo mean Schenectada ; the latter is an Indian word, 
said to signify Over- the- fines. Albany and Schenectada were early distia. 
guished by the Dutch words stadt, for city, and dorp, for town. 



524 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

than a poor negro," was his manly reply, as they proceeded on- 
ward. — Rynicr Gardinier. 

Some of the necessaries of life rose excessively high during the 
Revolution, besides being extremely difficult to obtain. Individu- 
als went from the westward of Albany to Boston to procure salt 
In a letter written by Cornelius Cuyler, of Albany, to Robert 
Snell, Esq., of Tryon county, dated, " Albany, March 5, 1779," 
I find the following sentence : " Could you not get wheat from 
the farmers in exchange for salt, to be delivered at Schenectada 
on your order ? If so, let the farmers deliver the wheat at your 
mills, and give them a certificate on my brother, John Cuyler, for 
the quantity they may deliver, and they shall receive salt in pro- 
portion of six skipples of wheat for one of salt. Cheese was sold 
from seventeen to twenty cents per pound, and nails used in the 
Highlands, y//?2/ ce?i^5 per pound. 

Some time in the Revolution, Timothy Murphy had charge of 
a small scout which went to reconnoitre in the vicinity of Oqua- 
o-o. While there they took three prisoners, one of whom was a 
Scotch lad of suspicious character, and soon after started on their 
return to Schoharie. In the night, the boy escaped, taking along 
Murphy's rifle — an act not very pleasing to the fearless ranger. 
Some month's after, the boy was retaken by another scout, and 
with him the stolen fire-lock. When Murphy learned that the 
boy was taken, and was approaching as a prisoner, his worst pas- 
sions were aroused, and he declared his intention to kill him, and 
armed himself with a tomahawk for that purpose. Elerson, and 
one or two of his companions in arms, reasoned the matter with 
him. They told him to imagine himself in the boy's situation, 
and asked him if he, similarly situated, would have acted differ- 
ently from what the boy had 1 His arger was in a measure ap- 
peased ; resertnent yielded to the force of sober reasoning; and 
the boy was brought into his presence without receiving any inju- 
ry. He was afterwards taken to Albany, and sold for the time 
being. Murphy, speaking of this affair, after the war, expressed 
his gratitude that he was prevented by his friends from injuring 
the lad who had stolen his gun. — Elerson, JYich. Warner, Jacob 
Beclcer, and Mrs. Van Slyck. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 525 

A tory, named Jacob Salisbury, was concealed in a house in 
the present town of Bern, Albany county, in the latter part of the 
war, for several months. A hole had been cut in the floor, and 
covered with a trap door, and in a small space dug beneath the 
floor, the tory concealed himself whenever any of his neighbors, 
not in the secret of his burrow, were at the house. His object, it 
is believed, was to act the spy, but having been discovered, he 
was arrested and imprisoned. — Mrs. Eleanor Feeck. 

There is a tradition in Schoharie, currently believed by some, 
that an attempt was made in the latter part of the Revolution, to 
capture Timothy Murphy by stratagem. It is said that the hero 
had a cow, on the neck of which he placed a bell, the better to 
enable him to find"Tier ; and that an Indian, to gain an interview, 
took the bell from the cow's neck and placed it upon his own, 
when he gingled it about in the woods, where the cow sometimes 
ran, to afford him and his companions an opportunity either to 
kill or capture its owner. Murphy knew too well whether a cow 
or an Indian rattled his bell, and driving her home from another 
part of the woods, he left the ding-dong warrior to make music 
for his fellows. — Mrs. Angelica Vrooman. 

Timothy Murphy, the brave soldier with whom we must soon 
part company, (whose daring spirit the reader has no doubt been 
pleased with,) was never wounded in battle, and, I believe, never 
a prisoner with the enemy. It was his misfortune, like that of 
many other master spirits of the Revolution, not to have had the 
advantages of an early education, even such as our common 
schools now afford. In fact, he possessed not the elements of an 
education : the art of reading and writing. For this reason, he 
declined accepting a proffered commission 5 knowing that he 
would be subjected to much inconvenience, and be liable to be 
imposed upon by designing men. Had he been an educated man, 
he might have made another Wayne or Morgan : but the want 
of the rudiments of an education compelled him to see others less 
fitted in other respects than himself, occupying stations of profit 
and honor. At the close of the war, he became a cultivator of 
the soil on the farm of his father-in-law, on which his ashes now 



5^6 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

repose. He was a citizen much respected in the county. As a 
father, he was generous and indulgent to a fault, having been 
known to bring home, from Albany, for a daughter, some five or 
six dresses at one time. 

Although Murphy could neither read nor write, yet, when 
mounted upon a s'tump or some eminence, he could harrangue a 
pubUc audience with great effect, and for many years exerted a 
powerful influence in the political ranks of Schoharie county. He 
was very active in bringing his young friend and neighbor, the 
Hon. Wm. C. Bouck, from retirement into public notice — was 
zealous in obtaining for him the appointment of sheriff — and in- 
directly contributed not a little to his subsequent distinction. 

On the 15th day of March, 1784, the ice lodged in the river 
near Middleburgh, overflowed the flats in the neighborhood 'of 
Murphy's residence, where they seldom if ever before had been 
similarly inundated. Many cattle and sheep were swept off in 
the freshet and perished. In an attempt to save the family of 
John Adam Brown, a near neighbor. Murphy waded into the wa- 
ter amidst the ice, and succeeded in bearing to a place of safety 
his two sons j but Brown, and Lana, his only daughter, then about 
12 years old, were unfortunately in the lower part of the house 
and were drowned. Murphy lost his wife (by whom he had nine 
children) in 1807 ; and married Mary Robertson five or six years 
after, by whom he also had several children. He died of a can- 
cer upon his throat June 27th, 1818; the foundation of which 
disease was supposed to have been laid, while attempting to res- 
cue Brown and his family in 1784. The Rev. John Schermerhorn 
preached the funeral sermon of Murphy and that of two other in- 
dividuals, George Mattice and a colored woman, on the same day. 

The following are the inscriptions upon the tomb-stones of Mur- 
phy and his first wife : 

" Timothy Murphy died June 27, 1818 ; aged 67 years. 

" Here too, this warrior sire, with honor rests, 
Who bared in freedom's cause his valiant breast 
Sprang from his half drawn furrow, as the cry 
Of threatened liberty came thrilling by ; 
Look'd to his God, and reared in bulwark round 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 527 

Breast free from guile, and hands with toil embrown'd, 
And bade a monarch's thousand banners yield — 
Firm at the plough, and glorious in the field, 
Lo ! here he rests, who every danger braved, 
Marked and honored, amid the soil he saved." 

"Margaret, wife of Timothy Murphy, died Sept. 1, 1807, 
aged 44 years." 

Some time in the latter part of the war, possibly when the ene- 
my were in its vicinity, an incident occurred at Fort Duboise, in 
Cobelskill, which, in its result, was a source of merriment. John 
King was one night in a sentry box, keeping vigils for the safety 
of himself and others, when he discovered some object slowly ap- 
proaching the place where he was stationed. It was light enough 
for him to obtain a sight of the object, but not with sufficient dis- 
tinctness to identify its character ; and supposing it to be a tory 
or aij Indian visitant, he hailed it with the accustomed " "Who 
comes there V demanding also the countersign. To the interro- 
gatories of the sentinel no reply was given, but the supposed foe 
continued to advance ; and King, already imagining he saw the 
uplifted tomahawk of a gigantic Indian, leveled his trusty gun 
and fired. The report echoed upon the midnight* air until lost in 
gentle murmurs among the distants hills, and greatly alarmed the 
little garrison and several families of citizens, clustered in rude 
huts within the picketed inclosure for safety. The courageous 
were quickly armed for an expected onset of a desperate foe. 
King pointed out, in the uncertain light, to the swolen eyes of his 
officer and comrades the supposed enemy, evidently weltering in 
his blood, for his temerity in presuming to approach a post, guard- 
ed by so trusty a sentinel. The object soon became still, and the 
silence of midnight ■was again restored. The inmates of the fort 
retired to rest — probably, few to sleep again that night j but all 
to pray for the return of daylight. That light at length came, 
and disclosed to the inmates of the fort, whose curiosity was on 
tiptoe, that the vigilant watchman had actually killed a large — "hull 
calf.^' The heedless animal, ignorant of the police of a camp, 
had strayed from a neighboring field, and was slowly grazing to- 
ward the wary guard, when he received a bullet which killed him 
outright. — Marcus Brown. 



( 528 ) 



CHAPTEH XVIII. 



Sleep on ! fearless ranger ; the Indian no more 
Shall dye his coarse blanket in citizen's gore : 
He has left, aye, forever, the vales where you fought, 
And his hosts of brave warriors have dwindled to nought. 
The vigils you kept in the partizan strife, 
Protecting the weak from the merciless knife 
Of mocason'J foes, who at midnight came near, 
We'll ever remember in green leaf and sear — 
And with tears dew the roses that bloom o'er the graves, 
Of the heroes who saved us — the pioneer braves. 

The active operations of the enemy closed with the year 1782, 
prehminaries for a peace having been agreed upon in November 
of that year, which was finally ratified on the 30th day of the fol- 
lowing September. On the 25th of November, 1783, the British 
troops evacuated New York, and the Americans, under General 
Washington, entered the city the same day, where they were wel- 
comed by the friends of the Republic with many demonstrations 
of joy. Washington repaired to Annapolis, Md., where Congress 
was then in session, and on the 20th day of December he resigned 
to that august body his military command, prefaced by a brief and 
appropriate address, which was handsomely responded to by its 
president. Gen. Mifflin. Once more a private citizen, the great 
Washington repaired to his seat at Mount V.ernon, followed by the 
prayers and admiration of every lover of civil liberty upon the 
habitable globe. 

Otthout Van Rensselaer, Esq., of Albany, is said to have been 
commissioner for disposing of confiscated property in the Schoha- 
rie settlements. The title of farms (in New York) in the posses- 
sion of royalists, which had been purchased of patriotic Ameri- 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 529 

cans, and not paid for, reverted to the private owner,^-while those 
of active royalists, who held a free title, were confiscated to the 
government. Nearly all the property sequestered in the present 
county of Schoharie, was owned in Brakabeen, Rhinebeck, and 
New Dorlach, more than one thousand acres of which were in 
the latter settlement. 

After the war not a few tories came back to Schoharie, some 
of whom even boasted of their evil deeds, and if they were not 
treated like Beacraft, they were looked upon with great suspicion 
for at least one generation. 

A number of Schoharie Indians, who had escaped the bullets of 
the rangers, claiming the same privilege as the tories with whom 
they had acted, also returned to the scenes of their former cruelties. 
Among them was Seth's Henry, as previously mentioned, Abram, 
his sister's son, and a few others of notoriety. The former had 
not been long in Vrooman's Land before he became suspicious of 
the republicans, and whenever he entered a house he preferred a 
position where he could look from an open door or window, and 
anticipate any ominous movement. From this place he started to 
go to the Charlotte river, was followed by Timothy Murphy, who 
had kept vigils of his footsteps in the valley, and, as he never 
reached the place for which he set out, it was currently believed, 
though not generally known, that his bones were left to bleach in 
the intervening forest. The writer has no doubt from the inform- 
ation he has received from Lawrence Mattice, David Elerson, and 
others, that a bullet from the rifle which sent Gen. Fraser to his 
long home, also ended the career of this crafty chief, who was 
one of the most blood-thirsty and successful warriors of the Re- 
volution. 

The Schoharie Indian, Abram, who returned with Seth's Hen- 
ry, was followed by Peter C. Vrooman, (familiarly known as Ha- 
zel Pete,) armed with an axe, into the kitchen of Samuel Vroo- 
man's house, in Vrooman's Land, where he inflicted two blows 
upon his head, and would no doubt have slain him as he lay upon 
the floor, had not a slave belonging to the house seized the arm 
of the assailant, and afforded the Indian an opportunity to effect 



530 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

his escape. The Indian had provoked Vrooman's vengeance Ly 
boasting of his former deeds, and would no doubt have been kill- 
ed by the first blow struck at hira, had not the missile hit the floor 
over head, and broken its fall. He was a long time in recover- 
ing, and is said to have been less saucy afterwards. — Mrs. Van 
Slyck and J. W. Bouck. 

This same Indian, if report is true, tarried about Schoharie for 
a year or two, and suddenly disappeared. He was at a hee, as a 
gathering of neighbors is called, when they are assembled to husk 
corn, draw wood, or manure, &c., as is often witnessed in the in- 
terior of New York, — the sequel of which usually is, a good warm 
supper, got up in the best possible style, — on some occasions fol- 
lowed by a dance. Such bees are common in the Schoharie and 
Mohawk valleys now, and have been from the time of their ear- 
liest white settlements. Indeed, they are not confined to the 7nales 
either : quilting hees, spinning bees, apple-paring bees, and the like, 
are common among the females, and fortunate, indeed, is that 
young man's lot who has notice to be present and help " shake 
the quilt," or remove the rejected parts of the apple, as he some- 
times has most delectable kissing when the quilt is folded, the ap- 
ples cut, and the happifying "come Phylanders," and many other 
nectar originators are fairly begun. — Pardon this digression, kind 
reader : I was going to say that the Indian Abram was at a bee of 
some sort at the house of a farmer on Foxes creek, and was not 
a little intoxicated. " Schoharie John" was there also, and pro- 
bably not sober enough to "walk a crack," unless it were a curv- 
ed one. They quarreled ; after passionate words had escaped 
them, the Indian left the house, and was followed in a short time 
by "Schoharie John." This Indian was never seen again in the 
settlement, and as a large pile of drift-wood upon the bank of the 
creek not far distant, was seen on fire the following morning, it 
was conjectured by some, that possibly Abram's bones might be 
found in the ashes ; but whether they were or not, or whether 
suspicion slandered the old soldier who followed him from the 
house, the writer knows not. — Doct. P. S. Swart, J. M. Swart, 
and others. 



AND Border wars of new york. 531 

Most of the Indians who returned to Schoharie after the war, 
remained about the settlement until fall, when several of their 
number disappeared in a very unaccountable manner. The fact 
was, several of them had been met in by places by citizen hunt- 
ers, and were possibly mistaken for bears. A few disappeared , 
and the rest took the hint and left the country. — Lawrence Law- 
yer. 

The most common beverages drank by the soldiery in the Re- 
volution, were Jlip and kill-devil. The former was made of 
beer brewed from malt and hops, to which was added sugar and 
liquor — the whole heated with a hot iron. The latter was made 
like flip, except that cider was substituted for beer. The price of 
each was one shilling for a quart mug : half a mug usually serv- 
ed two persons. 

Among the survivors of the Revolution, with whom the author 
has spent many agreeable hours, is Capt. Eben Williams, a son 
of Jonathan Williams, of Lebanon, Connecticut. He entered the 
army under Col. Patterson, of Berkshire county, Massachusetts, 
in 1775, from which time to the end of the war, he was in con- 
stant and varied service. He was on duty in eleven of the thirteen 
states and the Canadas. He witnessed the battle of Bunker Hill, 
but was with the troops at their camp on the main land, where 
an attack was expected. He also witnessed the surrender of the 
armies of Burgoyne and Cornwallis. 

On the 20th day of May, 1776, he was in the battle of TJie 
Cedars, thirty-nine miles from Montreal, on which occasion he be- 
came a prisoner to the Indians, by whom he was robbed of his 
clothing. He was kept in confinement ten days, and then ex- 
changed. He was commissioned as second lieutenant of infantry, 
in September, 1776. In February, 1777, Col. Patterson was pro- 
moted to brigadier-general, and Joseph Vose became the colonel 
of his regiment, which formed a part of the army of Gen. Gates 
in the fall campaign of that year. Col. Vose, who made a pru- 
dent, good officer, had been educated a butcher. While marching 
at the head of his regiment, in the vicinity of Burgoyne's army, 
to execute a command, a party of Hessians brought two jfield-pieces 



532 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

to bear upon them, and a shot striking the Colonel's horse killed 
it under him, but without halting his men he proceeded on foot, 
ordering a drummer to bring along his pistols.* 

In the fall of 1777, the brigade of Gen. Glover, to which Wil- 
liams, then a lieutenant of infantry, was attached, proceeded from 
Bemis's Heights to Valley Forge for winter quarters. On arriving 
near the residence of Gen. Richard Montgomery's widow, the 
brigade halted for the night. Mrs. Montgomery was then pleas- 
antly situated near the Hudson, about midway between Red Hook 
and Rhinebeck. Col. Shephard, at that time in temporary com- 
mand of the troops, as a compliment to the widow of so conspic- 
uous a martyr in the cause, dispatched Lieut. Williams, in the ca- 
pacity of adjutant, with a major-general's guard, and the compli- 
ments of the commander, tendering the service of the guard for 
the night. A major-general's guard consisted of a subaltern offi- 
cer and twenty men ; and a brigadier-general's guard, of a ser- 
geant and twelve men. As Williams rode up to the door, Mrs. 
Montgomery (a Livingston before marriage) made her appear- 
ance. She possessed a genteel form, with a small sparkling eye, 
and was neatly clad in black. She performed her part of the ce- 

« remony very politely, accepting the guard, and quartering them 
for the night. The officer of the guard was a gallant young en- 
sign under Capt. Pillsbury, who was highly pleased with the duty 
and executed it handsomely. He was enthusiastic, on joining his 
regiment in the morning, in describing the very hospitable man- 
ner in which himself and men were entertained. 

In the summer of 1778, Lieut. Williams was on duty in New 
Jersey, and was at the battle of Monmouth. In August follow- 

. ing that battle, Gen. Glover's brigade, consisting of four Massa- 

*The sangfroid manifested by Col. Vose, while under Gen. Gates, reminds 
me of another anecdote of the same campaign. Col. Scammel was distin- 
guished for his courage and activity in the battle of Saratoga, and in the heat 
of it his cue was nearly shot off by a ball from the enemy. Pulling it off, he 
threw it down in the direction of the foe, exclaiming with emphasis — "X> — n 
you, take it all!" Col. S. led the van of Washington's army on their march 
to Yorktown, early in the seige of which place he fell, covered with glory. 
He was promoted to adjutant-general just before his death. — Jas. Williamson. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 533 

chusetts regiments, commanded by Colonels Shephard,' Wiggles- 
worth, Bigelow, and Vose, proceeded to Rhode Island to strength- 
en the army of Gen. Sullivan. 

In June, 1779, Jeremiah Miller, his captain, was appointed 
pay master of the regiment, and Lieut. Williams took the com- 
mand of the company ; from which time until the war closed, he 
almost constantly performed the duty of captain. In July, his 
regiment marched to West Chester county, N. Y., and the follow- 
ing winter, (known as the cold Mvinter,) Gen. Glover's brigade 
was cantoned at a place called Budd^s Huts, situated three miles 
east of West Point ; on the road leading from Fishkill to Peeks- 
kill. The snow was deep while the huts were building, and the 
water did not drop from the eaves of those rude dwellings for 
forty successive days. Part of the army wintered the same sea- 
son three miles back of West Point, in what were called the 
York Huts. The logs for Budd's huts were brought together by 
the soldiers with drag-ropes. 

In the summer of 1780, Capt. Williams was on duty on the 
borders of New York and New Jersey ; and in the summer of 
1781, in the vicinity of Kings' Ferry, until September, when he 
marched with the army of Gen. Washington to York-Town. 
During the siege of that place by the American and French ar- 
mies, two strong redoubts thrown up by the enemy were carried ; 
the one on the bank of the river by American light infantry un- 
der Gen. Lafayette, and the other by French grenadiers under the 
Baron de Viomenil. To divide the attention of the enemy while 
the redoubts were being stormed. Col. Laurens, who had recently 
returned from a foreign embassy, was required, as his ^r^^ milita- 
ry duty, to select two trusty captains, each with forty chosen men 
from Scammel's corps of infantry, (ten from a company,) and 
march in between the redoubts. Captains Williams, of the Mas- 
sachusetts line, and Betts, of the Connecticut, were the two offi- 
cers chosen for this honorable task. A heavy fire was opened 
from both redoubts and the army in front upon the troops under 
Laurens ; but it was illy directed, and soon silenced after an en- 
trance was forced by the forlorn hope : and what is surprising, 



534 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

not one of Laurens' command was either killed or wounded. Op- 
position had nearly ceased when Laurens and his men entered the 
redoubt carried by the American infantr3\ Charles Miller, an 
Irish lieutenant, and the bringer up of the fourth platoon under 
WilUams, was a very large man, and could not enter the passage 
forced. Said he to his comrades, " My lads, take me on your 
bayonets and toss me in /" Said Belts to Williams, as Britain's 
flag gave place to the stripes of liberty, " This is the thirteenth 
engagement I have been in during the war, and this is the best of 
them all." Those redoubts were carried on the 14th of October.* 
In December, 1781, Capt. Williams returned to Westchester 
county, where he wintered and continued in service in that vicini- 
ty a good part of the year 1732. On his return from Yorktown, 
Capt. Hitchcock of the light infantry, had some difficulty with 
Lieut. Stone, of his own company. The quarrel ended in a duel 
and the captain was killed ; soon after which Williams was trans- 
ferred to the command of his company. It is worthy of remark 
that but little dueling took place in the American army in the Re- 

*The following incidents of the seige were communicated to the author just 
before this work went to press, by Nicholas Hill, of Montgomery county, who 
belonged to the New York state troops at the time. At some period of the 
seige a bomb-battery of the enemy, situated not far from York river, was car- 
ried by a party of Americans in the night, who entered as their foes left it. 
A detachment of American troops arriving after its capture, supposing it still 
occupied by the British, discharged their pieces in at the entrance, but most 
fortunately no one was injured within, and a pleasing recognition took place 
immediately after. The next day the enemy opened upon the lost battery, a 
heavy cannonade from one of their inner works. A board projected from an 
exposed part of it, which was a source of inconvenience to its new occupants, 
and an axe was procured with which to cut it off". A temporary silence pre- 
vailed, when Christopher Van Voast, a native of Scheneclada, snatched up 
the axe, and exclaiming "You're all a pack of d — d cowards!" sprang up, as 
a volunteer, to do it. He raised the axe, but ere it had descended to the board 
a cannon shot passed through his body, cutting it nearly in two. About the 
same time an American soldier named Smith, was Observed to fall near the 
battery, and on going to him his fellows found he was dead. There was no 
external mark of injury about him, but on examining his head, the skull was 
found broken in as was determined by a surgeon, from atmospheric concus- 
sion, caused by the passage of a cannon shot near it. Mr, Hill, said he did 
not believe the skull was fractured in the manner decided, but supposed the 
injury to have proceeded from the sudden fall upon the ground. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 535 

volution, the moral part of the community sternly rebuking the 
practice. x\ quarrel between Gen. Poor and Brigade Major Por- 
ter, which originated, it is believed, in a reproof of the former to 
tl^e latter for his rakish conduct, resulted in a duel, which took 
place in 1780, near Peraraes, New Jersey, in which the general, 
a fine officer, was killed. 

In the summer of 1782, a celebration took place at West Point 
in honor of the birth of the Dauphin of France, at which festival 
Capt. Williams was present, and which, from memory, he thus 
describes. A large bower was erected about eighty or one hun- 
dred rods from the river, covered with evergreens and beautifully 
festooned at the ends. Many natural flowers, interwoven with 
flower-de-lis cut from tissue paper, decorated the sides and ends. 
Long poles for the bower were brought on the shoulders of the 
soldiers, who on casting them down were sometimes heard, the 
one to exclaim with earnestness, " God bless the Dauphin !" 
while his comrade at the other end, with equal zeal would add, 
" God d — n the Dauphin !" An ox roasted whole for the occa- 
sion was eaten wiihin the bower, and after his bones had been re- 
moved, and a few bumpers of wine drank, Gen. Washington, who 
appeared in unusually good spirits, said to his officers, " Let us 
have a dance !" Selecting a partner among the officers, the 
great commander led the dance, in a " gander hop,'^ or " stag 
dance,''^ as called in modern times, when no ladies are present, to 
the favorite old tune, Soldier^s Joy, played by a military band. 
Washington was a very graceful dancer, and presented a fine fig- 
ure among his officers. The numerous regiments of troops there 
convened were paraded towards evening along the mountain back 
of Fort Putnam, and upon the high grounds on the east side of 
the river, to fire a salute. The regiments were under the com- 
mand of quarter master sergeants, and the companies commanded 
by orderly sergeants : not a single commissioned officer holding 
any command among the thousands thus conspicuously paraded. 
As may be supposed, the non-commissioned commanders were 
justly proud of the confidence reposed in their integrity. At a 
given signal, a running fire began at the south end of the line and 



536 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

extended along the west side of the river to the north end, when 
the feu-de-joie was caught by the troops on the opposite side of 
the river and carried south. Thus did the rattle of musketry three 
times make its distant circuit along the Hudson, in honor of an 
event which gave a prospective heir to the crown of France, then 
the efficient ally of our republic, — after which, the troops, in the 
twihght of a lovely evening, returned to the Point. On the day 
of this festival, an extra one day's ration was served to the soldiers, 
and all seemed equally to enjoy the holiday, which passed off with- 
out an accident to mar its pleasantry. 

The followinor is one verse of a song; believed to have been writ- 
ten either for or on account of the celebration at West Point, for 
which I am indebted to the memory of my friend J. H. T. 

" Hark, hark, a feu-de-joie — makes trembling ether ring, 

Whilst shouting armies hail, a Prince, a future King, 
On whom may Heaven with liberal hand 

Her choicest gifts bestow : 
May peace and wisdom bless his reign , 

And laurels deck his brow : 
A Dauphin's born, let cannon loud 

Bid echo rend the sky. 
Chorus. — Long life to Gallia's King, 
Columbia's great ally." 

In the army arrangement of the Revolution, the colonel, lieiit. 
colonel, and major of each regiment of state troops, retained the 
command of a company in the same called theirs, to which no 
captain was assigned. The immediate command of those compa- 
nies usually devolved on subaltern officers ; that of the colonel on 
a captain lieutenant ; that of lieut. colonel on a first lieutenant ; 
and that of major on a second lieutenant. 

Capt. WilUams continued in the army of Washington near the 
Hudson until the British evacuated New-York, on the 25th of 
Nov. 1783, at which time he accompanied the victorious army in 
its entree to that city ; and was present at Francis' Tavern, or 
" Black Sam^s " as familliary called, when Gen. Washington took 
leave of his officers on the 4th. of Dec. On leaving the disband- 
ed army Capt. W. could say — what few others could — he was ne- 
ver mustered during the whole war, sick or absent, when duty 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 537 

required his presence. At the close of the war he became a mem- 
ber of the Massachusetts Cincinnati. Those Associations com- 
posed chiefly of military officers, were formed in the several states 
with a general society of the United States, of which Gen. Wash- 
ington was president. About the year 1808, Capt. Williams re- 
moved from Massachusetts to Onondaga county, N. Y. He now 
(1845) resides in the town of Schoharie ; and although in his nine- 
ty-sixth year, few young men read more than he does. He from 
choice cuts his own fire-wood^ works his own garden, &c.; and the 
fall he was ninety years old, he revived the trade of his youth by 
framing two good sized buildings. He has ever continued to be a 
firm supporter of that government he helped to establish. He has 
long been an exemplary Christian — and imbibing in childhood the 
moral principles of a JYew England mother ; he has proven himself 
a worthy, honest and respected citizen. He still writes a legible 
hand without glasses. His answer to the question — Were you a 
young man with the knowledge you now have, would you enter 
the army if a war should break out 1 — was, " Yes, I think I should. 
Yes, I am pretty sure I should.'^ 

I have made several quotations from the Military Journal of 
Major, afterwards Col. Benjamin Tallmadge, an active and effici- 
ent officer of the Revolution. This private journal, which was 
prepared after the war at the request of his children to exhibit his 
military life, contains memoranda of an interesting character ; and 
from it I glean the following additional facts.* 

Col. Tallmadge was the second of five sons of the Rev. Benj. 
Tallmadge, a settled minister at Brookhaven, L. I. 

He graduated at Yale College with literary honors in 1773, 
soon after which he was called to the charge of a high school in 
Weathersfield, Ct. Capt. Chester of Weathersfield, having been 
appointed a colonel of state troops, and tendering young Tall- 
madge a lieutenant's commission, with the appointment of adju- 
tant of his regiment, the student laid aside his books, and the con- 

•For the loan of this Journal, the author would here acknowledge his in- 
debtedness to the Hon. John P. Cushman, of Troy, a son-in-law of Colonel 
Tallmadge 

35 



538 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

templated study of the law, and entered the service of his coun- 
try. He was commissioned a lieutenant by Gov. Trumbull, June 
20th, 1776, and received a warrant as adjutant, bearing the same 
date. He marched with the army of Washington to New York ; 
was engaged in the disastrous battle of Long Island, and in seve- 
ral skirmishes above New York, in one of which Brigade Major 
Wyllis was made prisoner, and he was given his station. At the 
battle of White Plains, he was with a division of the army under 
Gen. Spencer, who engaged the Hessian troops under Gen. Rahl, 
when the Americans, pressed by overpowering numbers, were ob- 
liged to fall back to Chadderton's Hill, then occupied by Gen. 
McDougall. As the adjutant was about to enter the Bronx with 
the rear of the army, the Rev. Dr. Trumbull, their chaplain, sprang 
upon his horse behind him, with an impetus that carried them 
both headlong, with saddle and accoutrements, into the river. 
Regaining their feet, they, however, forded the stream in time to 
make good their retreat. Long poles, with iron pikes, supplied 
the want of bayonets, at this time, in the American camp. Near 
the close of the year, a new organization of the army took place, 
"when Lieut. Tallmadge received the command of a company of 
dragoons, under Col. Eiisha Sheldon. 

Early in the spring of 1777, a squadron of four companies of 
Sheldon's corps, under the command of Tallmadge, the senior 
captain, joined the army of W^ashington, near Middlebrook, N. J. 
His own troop was mounted entirely on dapple gray horses, of 
which, under black mountings, he acknowledges he felt proud. 
On the 25th June, 1777, he was engaged in the battls of Short 
Hills, between the Americans, under Lord Sterling, and the ene- 
my, under Lord Cornwallis, in which the former lost four field pie- 
ces a second time. About this period Capt. Tallmadge was pro- 
moted to major of cavalry. In 1778, while actively employed 
with the army in New Jersey, Maj. T. opened a private corres- 
pondence with some persons in New York, for Gen. Washington, 
which lasted through the war. 

About the 1st of July, 1779, when the dragoons of Col, Shel- 
don were stationed below North Castle, a large body of the ene- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 539 

my's light horse and infantry, under Lord Rawdon, attacked them 
in the night. The onset was impetuous, and the Americans, borne 
down by superior numbers, and flanked by infantry, found it neces- 
sary no retreat — doing which the servant of Maj. Tallmadge was 
wounded and captured by the enemy, and with him his master's 
horse and valise, the latter containing twenty guineas. In the 
summer of 1780, Gen. Washington honored Maj. T. with a sepa- 
rate command, consisting of a body of horse and two companies 
of infantry, formed from dismounted dragoons. He took a station 
soon after at North Stamford, Conn., and while there Gen. Par- 
sons proposed a joint enterprise of their forces against the ene- 
my's garrison at Lloyd's Neck, on Long Island, which was aban- 
doned, owing to the treachery of the agent employed by the ge- 
neral to gain the requisite information. 

" On the 5th of September, 1779," [says the journal,] " I un- 
dertook an expedition against the enemy on Lloyd's Neck, Long 
Island. At this place, and on a promontory or elevated piece of 
ground next to the Sound, between Huntington Harbor and Oyster 
Bay, the enemy had established a strongly fortified post, where 
they kept a body of about five hundred troops. In the rear of this 
garrison a large band of marauders encamped, who, having boats 
at command, continually infested the Sound and our shores. 
Having a great desire to break up the banditti of freebooters, on 
the evening named I embarked my detachment, amounting in the 
whole to about one hundred and thirty men, at Shipand Point, near 
Stamford, at eight o'clock in the evening, and by ten we landed 
on Lloyd's Neck. Having made my arrangements we proceeded 
in different divisions to beat up their quarters. Our -attack was so 
sudden and unexpected that we succeeded in capturing almost the 
whole party, a few only escaping into the bushes, from whence 
they commenced firing on my detachment ; which gave the alarm 
to the garrison. This prevented our attempting any attack upon 
the outposts and guards of the fort, and after destroying all the 
boats we could find, as well as the huts of these refugees, we re- 
turned with our prisoners to our boats, and embarked for Connecti- 
cut, where we landed in safety before sunrise the next morning, 
and without the loss of a single man." 

As the fall advanced Maj. Tallmadge revived his project of an 
expedition to Long Island. Through agents he obtained accurate 
returns of a fortification in Suffolk county, called Fort St. George- 
It was constructed "at a point which projects into the South Bay 



540 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

on Smith's Manor, being the enemy's easternmost defence," It 
is thus described in the journal : 

"I found it to be a triangular inclosure of several acres of ground, 
at two angles of which was a strongly barricaded house, and at 
the third, a fort, with a deep ditch and wall encircled hjanaiattis 
of sharpened pickets, projecting at an angle of forty-five degrees. 
The fort and houses were entirely connected with a strong stock- 
ade, twelve feet high, every piece sharpened and fastened to each 
other by a transverse rail strongly bolted to each. The work was 
nearly finished." 

Having obtained the necessary information he proposed to the 
Commander-in-chief to destroy the works, who concluded the ex- 
pedition too dangerous to warrant its undertaking. Not willing 
to abandon his project, Maj. T. visited the island in person about 
the 1st of November, to ascertain the then state of the works. 
He learned " that the fortress was completed, and was the depo- 
sitory of stores, dry-goods, groceries, and arms, from whence Suf- 
folk county could be supplied." Provided with an accurate draft 
of the fort, and apprised that a large quantity of forage was col- 
lected at Coram, from the east end of the island, he again impor- 
tuned Gen. Washington to sanction a contemplated visit, who, on 
the 1 1th day of November, signified his assent by letter. The 
expedition is thus entered in the journal t. 

"All preparations necessar\- being made, on the 21st of Novem- 
ber, at about four o'clock, P.M., I embarked my detachment com- 
posed of two companies of dismounted dragoons, (and in all short 
of one hundred selected men,) at Fairfield, and the same evening 
at nine o'clock, we landed at a place on Long Island called the Old 
Mart's. I was obliged to go so far east to avoid a large body of 
the enemy which laid at Huntington and its vicinity, partly in our 
direct route from Stamford. Soon after we landed, say by ten 
o'clock, I put the troops in motion to cross Long Island.. We had 
not gone far, say four or five miles, before the wind began to blow 
from the southeast, and the rain soon followed. I faced the troops 
about, returned to our boats, which were drawn up and concealed 
in the bushes. There we remained through the night and the next 
day, and at evening the rain abated, and I again ordered the troops 
to march for our destined place on the south side of Long Island. 
At four o'clock next morning I found we were within two miles of 
Fort St, George, when we halted a short time to take refreshment. 
Having made my arrangements for the plan of attack, I placed two 
small detachments under the command of subaltern officers of high 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 541 

spirit, at different positions from the fort, with orders to keep con- 
cealed until the enemy should fire on my column. Just as the day 
began to dawn, I put my detachment in motion. The pioneers 
who preceded my column had reached within forty yards of the 
stockade before they were discovered by the enemy. At this mo- 
ment, the sentinal in advance of the stockade, halted his march, 
looked attentively at our column, demanded "who comes there ?" 
and fired. Before the smoke from his gun had cleared his vision, 
my sergeant, who marched by my side, reached him with his bay- 
onet, and prostrated him. This was the signal for the other troops 
to move forward, when all seemed to vie with each other to enter 
the fort. So resolute were the men, that a breach was soon made 
in the stockade, where the rear platoon halted to prevent the pri- 
soners from escaping. I led the column directly through the grand 
parade against the main fort, which we carried with the bayonet in 
less than ten minutes, not a musket being loaded. At the same 
instant that I entered one side of the fort, the officers commanding 
the smaller detachments mounted the ramparts on the other sides, 
and the watchword, Washington and Glory .' was repeated from 
three sides of the fort at the same time. While we were standing, 
elated with victory, in the centre of the fort, a volley of musketry 
was discharged from the windows of one of the large houses, 
which induced me to order my whole detachment to load and re- 
turn the fire. I soon found it necessary to lead the column direct- 
ly to the house, which being strongly barricaded required the aid 
of the pioneers with their axes. As soon as the troops could en- 
ter, the confusion and conflict was great. A considerable portion 
of those who had fired after the fort was taken and the colours 
had been struck, were thrown headlong from the second story to 
the ground. Having forfeited their lives by the usages of war, all 
would have been killed had I not ordered the slaughter to cease. 
The prisoners, being secured, it was soon discovered that the ship- 
ping, which laid near the fort, loaded with stores, &c., were get- 
ting under weigh. The guns of the fort were brought to bear on 
them, and they were soon secured. All things were now safe and 
quiet, and I had never seen the sun rise more pleasantly. It be- 
came necessary to demolish the enemy's works, as far as possible, 
which was done : an immense quantity of stores of various kinds, 
English, &c., were destroyed. The shipping and their stores were 
also burnt up. Some valuable articles of dry goods were made 
up in bundles, placed on the prisoners' shoulders, who were pin- 
ioned two and two, and thus carried across the island to our boats. 
The work of capturing and destroying this fortress being effected, 
at eight o'clock, A.M., I put the troops under march to recross the 
island to our boats. Having given the command of the detach- 
ment to Capt. Edgar, with orders to halt at a given point near the 
middle of the island, I selected ten or twelve men, and mounted 
them on horses taken at the fort, with which I intended to destroy 
the King's magazine of forage at Coram. This place was nearly 



542 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

half way to the place where a large body of British troops were 
encamped, east of Huntington. I reached the place in about an 
hour and a half; made a vigorous charge upon the guard placed 
to protect it ; set it on fire [some three hundred tons of hay], and 
in about an hour and a half more reached the place where I had 
ordered the troops to halt, having rode some fifteen or sixteen 
miles. As I arrived at the spot, I Avas gratified to see the head of 
the detachment, under Capt. Edgar advancing with the prisoners. 
As none of us had halted since we parted, we sat down for nearly 
an hour and refreshed. After this Ave took up our line of march, 
by four o'clock reached our boats, and before sunset we were all 
afloat on the Sound ; by midnight, or one o'clock next morning, 
every boat an'ived on Fairfield beach, although we had entirely 
lost sight of each other in the darkness of the night. This ser- 
vice w^as executed entirely without the loss of one man from ray 
detachment, and one only was badl}^ wounded, and him we brought 
ofT. The enemy's loss was seven killed and wounded, most of 
them mortally. We took one lieutenant colonel commandant, one 
captain, one lieutenant, one surgeon, and fifty rank and file, with 
a host of others in the garrison." 

On reporting the result of his expedition to the Commander-in- 
chief, Maj. Tallmadge requested permission to give his troops the 
spoils they had borne from the captured fortress, to which he re- 
ceived the following reply : 

"MoRRisTowN, 28th Nov., 1780. 

" Dear Sir — Both your Letters of the 25ih came to my hands 
this da)^ I received with much pleasure the report of your suc- 
cessful Enterprise upon Fort St. George, and the vessel with stores 
in the harbor ; and was particularly Avell pleased with the destruc- 
tion of the hay, which must, I should conceive, be severely felt by 
the enemy at this time. 

" I beg of you to accept my thanks for your judicious planning, 
and spirited execution of this business, and that you will offer 
them to the Officers and Men who shared the honor of the Enter- 
prise with you. 

" The gallant behavior of Mr. Muirson gives him a fair claim to 
an appointment in the second Regt. of Dragoons, or any other of 
the State to which he belongs, where there is a vacancy ; and I 
have no doubt of his meeting with it accordingly, if you will make 
known his merits, with these sentiments in his favor. 

" You have my free consent to reward your gallant party with 
the little booty they were able to bring from the Enemy's works. 
" With much esteem and regard, I am. Dear Sir, 

" Your most obed't Servt, 
GO. WASHINGTON." 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 543 

The following honorable notice of Maj. Tallmadge's success 
over the enemy on Long Island, is found on the Journal of Con- 
gress for 1780, under date of Dec. 6th, that body having been 
apprised of the affair some days before by Gen. Washington. 

" While Congress are sensible of the patriotism, courage and 
perseverance of the officers and privates of their regular forces, as 
well as the militia throughout these United States, and of the mi- 
litary conduct of the principal commanders in both, it gives them 
pleasure to be so frequently called upon to confer marks of distinc- 
tion and applause for enterprises which do honor to the profession 
of arms, and claim a high rank among military achievements. In 
this light they view the enterprise against Fort George, on Long 
Island, planned, and conducted with wisdom and great gallantry 
by Maj. Tallmadge, of the light dragoons, and executed with in- 
trepidity and complete success by the officers and soldiers of his 
detachment. 

^'■Ordered, therefore. That Maj. Tallmadge's report to the Com- 
mander-in-chief be published, with the preceding minute, as a tri- 
bute to distinguished merit, and in testimony of the sense Congress 
entertain of this brilliant service." 

"No person but a military man," says the journal of Col. T., 
" knows how to appreciate the honor bestowed, when the Com- 
mander-in- chief and the Congress of the United States return their 
thanks for a military achievement." 

Contemplating an expedition against a British garrison of eight 
hundred men at Lloyd's Neck, and that of Fort Slongo, eight 
miles eastward of it, guarded by one hundred and fifty men, Maj. 
Tallmadge again visited Long Island, April 22, 1781, to obtain 
accurate information. Submitting his plan of intended operations 
to Gen. Washington for the capture of these posts, and clearing 
the sound of the enemy's small craft, with the aid of more troops, 
and the co-operation of the French frigates, it was favorably re- 
ceived, and he was furnished with a flattering letter of introduc- 
tion to Count Rochambeau, then at Rhode Island, for the naval 
force. The absence of the vessels of the size wanted, prevented 
the prosecution of the enterprise. In the fall of this year, Maj. 
Tallmadge renewed his project of annoying the enemy on Long 
Island. 

"The fortress at TreadioelVs Neck, called Fort Slongo, [says the 
journal,] seemed to demand attention, and on the 1st of October I 



544 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

moved my detachment of light infantry into the neighborhood of 
Norwalk ; at the same time I directed a suitable number of boats 
to be assembled at the mouth of Saugatuck river, east of the town 
of Norwalk. On the evening of October 2d, 1781, at nine o'clock, 
I embarked a part of my detachment, and placed Maj, Trescott at 
the head of it, with orders to assail the fort on a particular point. 
The troops landed on Long Island by four o'clock, and at the dawn 
of day the attack was made and the fortress subdued. The block 
house, and other combustible materials, were burnt, and the troops 
and prisoners returned in safety, bringing off one piece of hand- 
some brass field-artillery." 

When the campaign of 1782 was opened, many felt as though 
the independence of the country had already been secured by the 
capture of Cornwallis and his army, but Gen. Washington, what- 
ever may have been his private opinion " inculcated upon his 
troops the necessity of strict discipline, that they might be pre- 
pared for any emergency." Many supernumerary officers were 
permitted to retire from the army early this season, the most effi- 
cient being retained in service. As this year was one of compa- 
rative inactivity, the soldier's life became irksome, and he sighed 
for employment. 

Towards the close of tne year 1782, Major Tallmadge having 
been informed that six hundred of the enemy had encamped at 
Huntington, Long Island, conceived the plan of "beating up their 
quarters." He disclosed his project in person to Gen. Washing- 
ton, in the latter part of November, and obtained his permission 
to undertake it, the general claiming to name the time. The 5th 
of December was the day fixed upon, when the Commander in- 
tended to execute an enterprise on the Hudson — which was, to 
throw a large detachment of his troops below Fort Washington, 
while he moved down with the main body to Fort Independence 
and Kingsbridge, thus bringing the enemy between two fires. On 
the evening of the day named, Maj. Tallmadge assembled his 
troops at Shipand Point, where his boats had been ordered. His 
forces, some seven hundred men, consisting of four companies of 
infantry, a party of dismounted dragoons, to mount the captured 
horses, and a body of Connecticut levies, began to embark at sun- 
set ; but the half had not left the shore, when a wertern storm 
arising, they were called back, the boats drawn on shore and turn- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 545 

ed up for a shelter. The Sound was agitated the next day, and 
at night became quiet, and the troops were beginning a second 
time to embark, but another gale arising, the troops were shel- 
tered as on the previous night. Apprised on the morning of the 
7th, that three of the enemy's boats from Long Island had taken 
refuge and were wind-bound on the Norwalk islands, a few miles 
east of the point, Maj. Tallmadge despatched six sail boats under 
Capt. Brewster, to give some account of them. Two were cap- 
tured, after a spirited contest, in crossing the Sound, there about 
twelve miles wide, and the third escaped to land. Capt. Brew- 
ster received a bullet in the breast, which passed through the bo- 
dy, but recovered of the wound. The wind again rising on the 
third night, the expedition to the island was abandoned. The con- 
templated movement of Gen. Washington, on the evening of the 
5th, was prevented by several British vessels having moved up 
that day, and anchored above Fort Washington. 

In the winter of 1782 and '83, considerable illicit intercourse 
was carried on by traders along the Sound with the merchant of 
New York, and boats thus employed often fell into the hands of 
the vigilant Americans. Informed that a public armed vessel, in 
the employ of the government, was actively employed in the traf- 
fic " technically called the London trade" Maj. Tallmadge pro- 
posed to punish the offenders. The craft was a large sloop called 
the Sheeldham, Capt. Hoyt. Furnished with a copy of her in- 
voice of goods, and notified of her expected arrival at Norwalk, 
Maj. T. repaired to that place with a party of dragoons, and had 
the satisfaction of seeing her approach the harbor. She anchored 
near the Old Wells, soon after which he went on board with a 
warrant, and constable to serve it. Making known his errand, 
the captain flew into a passion, and threatened to throw him over- 
board. While the intrepid major was endeavoring lo reason with 
the dealer in contraband wares, the latter weighed anchor, hoist- 
ed sails, and stood out into the Sound, with a breeze from the north- 
west. When ordered to put back, he not only refused, but swore 
he would throw his guest overboard. The rest of the farce is thus 
noted in the journal : 



546 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" My captain continued his course towards Lloyd's Neck, whete 
the enemy's fleet lay, until we reached the middle of the Sound. 
I inquired of him where he was going, when he informed we with 
an oath, he would carry me over to the enemy. I informed him 
that for such an offence, hy our martial law, he exposed himself 
to be punished with death. He professed to care nothing for the 
consequences. I maintained my former course, and sternly or- 
dered him to put about his vessel and return to Norwalk, assuring 
him that if he executed his threat I would have him hanged as 
high as Haman hung if ever I returned, as I did not doubt I should. 
The time now became very critical, for we were rapidly approach- 
ing the enemy, when I again commanded him to put about his 
ship and return. He began to hesitate, and in a few minutes or- 
dered his men to put about ; and then steered directly back into 
Norwalk harbor. As soon as he came to anchor down at the Old 
Wells, the captain went ashore in his boat, and I never saw him 
again. I now found myself in the peaceable possession of the ves- 
sel, and its cargo. On taking up the scuttle in the cabin, I found 
an assortment of English goods corresponding with my invoice, 
which I had duly libeled and condemned. Thus ended my ha- 
zardous contest with the captain of the Sheeldham, a man void of 
principle, and unworthy the commission he held." 

One of the enemy's sloops of war having been seen repeatedly 
to cross the Sound and anchor under Stratford Point, Conn., where 
she went to barter merchandize for produce, measures were taken 
to capture her. At Bridgeport, Maj. Tallraadge met Capt. Amos 
Hubbel, who had a suitable vessel, and readily engaged in the 
enterprise. The captain agreed to bring his craft along side the 
hostile ship, if indemnified against her loss in case of capture by 
the enemy, to which proposition Maj. Tallmadge readily assented. 
On the 20th of February, 1783, when the English sloop was at 
the point, the major placed forty-five men of his detachment, un- 
der the immediate command of lieutenants Jiliea and Hawley, 
with Capt. Brewster's boat's crew of continental troops, on board 
of Capt. Hubbel's vessel, the whole to be commanded by Capt. 
Brewster. Capt. Hubbel, taking the helm in person, sailed at two 
o'clock, P.M., and at four was within hail of the foe. The Ame- 
rican troops were kept concealed until the vessels were brought in 
contact. As they neared, the enemy opened a broadside, which 
crippled their antagonist considerably in the mast and rigging ; 
but Capt. Hubbel, with great presence of mind, brought her up 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 547 

gallantly to the work. The troops, at a given signal, appeared 
on deck, discharged a volley of balls, and under Capt. Brewster 
boarded and carried the enemy at the point of the bayonet, " as 
in a moment," nearly every man on board being either killed or 
wounded. Not one of Brewster's men were harmed, nor was the 
vessel materially injured. In a few hours both vessels were moor- 
ed in safety at Black Rock harbor. The affair being duly report- 
ed to Gen. Washington, he expressed his thanks to Maj. Tall- 
madge by letter, ordered the condemnation of the prize, and the 
avails thereof to be distributed among the troops who captured it. 

In view of the disbanding the army, on the 10th day of May, 
1783, a meeting of the American officers was held to organize 
the association, afterwards called "The Society of the Cincinnati," 
at which the Baron de Steuben, the senior officer, presided. G ene- 
rals Knox, Huntington, and Hand, and Capt. Shaw, were appoint- 
ed to prepare a written form or constitution expressive of its ob- 
ject; and at a meeting held at the quarters of Steuben on the 13th 
of May, their report was adopted. Of the State Society organ- 
ized in the Connecticut line, Maj. Tallmadge was chosen treasur- 
er for several years, and until he became its president. Most of 
the state legislatures granted acts of incorporation to these asso- 
ciations, but that of Connecticut refused a charter, and the society 
disbanded, giving the balance of its funds to Yale College. 

In the summer of 1783, after preliminary articles of peace had 
been announced, Maj. Tallmadge, with the approbation of Gen. 
Washington, proceeded to New York, under the sanction of a flag, 
to grant that protection the times demanded, to such persons as 
had transmitted intelligence of the enemy's doings from time to 
time during the war, to Maj. T. and others employed by the Com- 
mander-in-chief to procure it. Private emissaries, in other words 
secret spies, employed for years in the American service were thus 
protected against the insults of their countrymen, who, on enter- 
ing the city, might otherwise have treated them with indignity, 
instead of merited respect. Several Enoch Crosbys were secretly 
engaged in the Revolution in transmitting to Gen. Washington, 
as best they could, important information of the enemy's move- 
ments in and around New York. 



548 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Maj. Tallmadge was with the troops under Gen. Washington, 
who entered New York on the day it was evacuated by the ene- 
my. On this occasion, Gen. Knox, at the head of a select corps, 
led the van of the American army. " The Commander-in-chief, 
accompanied by Gov. Clinton, and their respective suites, made 
their public entry into the city on horseback, followed by the lieu- 
tenant governor and members of the council, the officers of the 
army, eight abreast, and citizens on horseback, eight abreast, ac- 
companied by the speaker of the Assembly and citizens, on foot, 
eight abreast. So perfect was the order of march, that entire 
tranquility prevailed, and nothing occurred to mar the general 
joy." Gov. Clinton gave a public dinner on the occasion, at which 
Gen. Washington and numerous other guests were present. On 
the Tuesday evening following, a most splendid display oi fire- 
works took place near the Bowling Green, at the foot of Broad- 
way. Maj. Tallmadge was also present, at Francis^ Tavern in 
Pearl street, when Gen. Washington took final leave of his offi- 
cers. They assembled at 12 o'clock, M., soon after which Gen. 
Washington appeared. After partaking of a httle refreshment, 
in almost breathless silence, His Excellency filled his glass with 
wine, and turning to his companions in arms, thus addressed them : 
" With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. 
I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous 
and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable" 
The officers drank a glass of wine with him, after which he added : 
" I cannot come to each of you, but shall feel obliged if each of 
you will come and take me by the hand." Gen. Knox, being 
nearest, grasped his hand, and they embraced each other in si- 
lence. This was no doubt one of the most affecting interviews of 
the kind ever known. Each officer, in turn, imitating the exam- 
ple of Gen. Knox, embraced their Commander, and saluted him 
with a kiss, while their tears mingled profusely with his own. 
Waving his hand to his comrades, he left the room, and passing 
through a corps of light infantry paraded to receive him, he walk- 
ed in silence to Whitehall, where a barge waited his arrival. 
His officers followed to the wharf, where a large multitude had 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 549 

assembled to see his departure, and there witnessed his last salu- 
tation, which was the waving of his hat above the boat. 

On the return of peace, Maj. Tallmadge again visited his native 
place, where the patriotic citizens got up a festival, roasted an ox 
whole, and made the major master of ceremonies. 

On the 16th of March, 1784, Maj. Tallmadge led to Hymen's 
altar, the eldest daughter of the Hon. Wm. Floyd, of Mastick, 
Long Island ; after which he commenced the mercantile business 
in Litchfield, Connecticut. He was much respected for his ta- 
lents, and represented the district in which he resided in the coun- 
cils of the nation. 



( 550 ) 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Among the officers of the American army deserving of notice, 
"was Captain Thomas Machin, engineer ; distinguished alike for 
his mathematical skill and patriotic bravery. He "was born 
March 20th, 1744, 0. S., four miles from Wolverhampton, Staf- 
fordshire, England. His father, John Machin, a distinguished 
mathematican, had two sons, John and Thomas. The former 
was killed at the seige of some town near the outlet of the Red 
Sea ; and the latter was one of a corps of English cadets, which, 
with the British infantry became so distinguished for their bravery 
in the battle of Minden, Germany. The cadets, or fenciblcs, as 
called, were almost annihilated in that battle, which took place 
between the allied army under Ferdinand and the French, in Au- 
gust, 1759. 

The Duke of Bridgewater, who may justly be styled the father 
of the canal navigation of Great Britain, projected at his oum 
expense a canal from the coal measures on his lands in the town 
of Worsley to Manchester, a distance of some ten miles ; obtain- 
ing his first act for the same at the session of parliament fcr the 
winter of 1758 and 59. A few years after he obtained an act 
for carrying a branch of it to Liverpool, nearly thirty miles. The 
former canal was carried by a stone aqueduct over the river Ir- 
well, forty feet above its surface, so that shipping might pass un- 
der it in the river ; and the latter over the Mercer. Those great 
works which were looked upon at their commencement by the 
incredulous as wholly impracticable, were prosecuted to comple- 
tion under the direction of the celebrated engineer and mec hani- 
cal inventor, James Brindley. Soon after Brindley began those 
works, Thomas Machin entered his employ ; and it is not sur- 
prising that under such a tutor, he, too, should have become a 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 551 

good practical engineer. He was engaged in taking the levels 
for the Duke's canal ; and as clerk paid off many of the laborers 
employed by Brindley. 

After making a voyage to the East Indies, Machin sailed for 
America, and arriving in 1772, took up his residence in the city 
of New York. The principal object of his voyage was to ex- 
amine a copper mine in New Jersey. After a short stay in New 
York, he went to reside in Boston, and evidently intended a per- 
manent residence ; as he warmly espoused the cause of the Bos- 
tonians against his " father land." He was one of the celebrated 
Boston tea party of 1773. He was engaged and wounded (in 
one arm) in the conflict on Bunker's hill, while acting as lieuten- 
ant of artillery. 

Mr. Machin received his first commission in the American ser- 
vice, as second lieutenant in the regiment of artillery, command- 
ed by Col. Henry Knox, which was dated Jan. 18th, 1776. 
That the patriots of Massachusetts were not only acquainted with 
Lieut. Machin's skill as an engineer, but actually called it into 
requisition in laying out the fortifications for the American camp 
around Boston, the following papers will show. 

" Boston, Jum 19,, 1776 — Wednesday evening. 
"To Lieut, Machin, at Nantasket: 

" Sir — I informed the committee that you could go to Sandwich 
on the survey if it could be taken this week ; in consequence of 
which, we agreed that you might set out as soon as you thought 
proper, and begin the survey, and that Ave would follow, and be 
there next Tuesday. I beg you would let me see you to-morrow 
evening, that the committee may hear what to depend on. 
" Sir, your most humble serv't- 

" JAMES BOWDOIN." 

*' Lieut. Machin, the bearer hereof, being employed in y* 
Colony service, it is desired he may pass from hence to Sandwich 
and back without interruption. 

" Boston, June 20, 1778." " JAMES BOWDOIN." 

" Camp at White Plains, August 9, 1778. 

" These are to certify, that the subscriber, being Aid-de-Camp 

to Maj. Gen'l Ward, in the 3''ear 1776, while stationed at Boston: 

General Ward directed Lieut, Thomas Machin, of the Artillery, 

to act as Engineer to erect fortifications for the defence of the 



552 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Town and Harbor of Boston, from the first of April, 1776, to the 
month of June following, which service he faithfully performed, 

" JOSEPH WARD." 

Owing to the skillful manner in which Lieut. Machin had dis- 
charged the important task of laying out the fortifications around 
Boston, he was selected by the Commander-in-chief for the 
arduous duty of securing the navigation of the Hudson through the 
Highlands, as the following paper will show : 

" Head-Quarters, New-York, 2\st July, 1776. 
" Sir — You are without delay to proceed to Fort Montgomery, 
or Constitution, in the Highlands, on Hudson's River, and put 
yourself under command of Col. George Clinton, or the command- 
ino- officer there, — to act as Engineer in compleating such works 
as are already laid out, — and such others as you, with the advice 
of Col. Clinton, may think necessary: 'Tis expected and required 
of you, that you pay close attention to this business, and drive on 
the works with all possible despatch. In case of an attack from 
the enemy, or in any action with them, you are to join and act 
with the Artillery on that station ; and to return to your duty in 
the regiment as soon as you can be spared from the Avorks. 
" I am, sir, your most humble serv't. 

" GO. WASHINGTON.'* 

To the letter of instructions we find wafered the following 
paper : 

" Fort Montgomery, August 9lk, 1776. 

" A list of the carpenters that have entered into the Continental 
service under Capt. Burns: Stephen Concklin, Joseph Halsted, 
Joshua Sager, Silas White, John Young, John Homan, Gilbert 
Roberts, Barzilla Tuthill, Cornelius Van Vlack, James Scoldfield." 

" Capt. Burns — The above persons belonging to your company, 
beino- Artificers employed in the works here, you are therefore to 
have them at this place to be employed by and under the direction 
of Mr. Machin, the Engineer. 

" GEO: CLINTON, Brig'r Gen'l." 

Gov. Clinton was promoted about the time Gen. Washington's 

directions to Lieut. Machin were dated, and having occasion to 

leave the works, he placed his brother, Col. James Clinton, in 

temporary command to oversee them, as the following paper will 

show : 

" Fort Mo7itgo?}2ery, lOtk August, 1776. 
" To Lieut. Machin — As I am now ordered to march with the 
new levies to Kings Bridge, and as you will want many necessa- 
ries for compleating the new works we have begun on the south 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 553 

side of Poplopin's Kill,* and the works to be erected for securing 
the pass of Anthony's Nose. You are to use your best endeavors 
by all means in your power, (applying to Col. Clinton from time 
to time for his aid and advice) to purchase and procure such articles 
as may be wanted, of which the clerk of the Check is to keep a 
just account. The artificers already employed and such others as 
may be wanted, are, (in the erecting of these works) to be under 
your directions, for which purpose Col. Clinton Avill be given the 
necessary orders. 

" I am your humble serv't, 

" GEO. CLINTON, Brig. Gen." 

Gen. Schuyler early saw the necessity of obstructing the navi- 
gation of the Hudson in the Highlands to prevent the passage of 
British shipping to Albany ; and communicated to the N. York 
Council of Safety his wishes on that subject, as the following 
papers will show : and as they are found among the papers of 
Capt. Machin, there can be no doubt but he was the person em- 
ployed to make the requisite survey. 

•' Fishkill Nov. 6, 1776. 
" Gent. — I am directed by the Committee of Safety to transmit 
you the enclosed extract of Gen. Schuyler's letter, and to request 
that you'll cause his request to be immediately complied with. 
'* I am, gentlemen, with esteem, 

" Your very humble servant, 

" PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT, V. Pres." 
" To the Gent, of the Secret Committee." 

" Extract of a letter from Gen'l Schuyler directed to Peter R. 
Livingston, Esq. President, &c. dated Albany, Nov. 3d, 1776. — 
I wish the Convention would order the depth and breadth of Hud- 
son's River to be carefully taken at such places as they conceive 
would be most proper eflPectually to obstruct the navigation ; Ver- 
planck's Point, or Jan Canten Hook, may be proper places; per- 
haps the latter." 

" (True extract.) ROBT. BENSON, Sec'y." 

Col. Rufus Putnam, an officer of merit, commanded the 5th 
Massachusetts regiment, and was promoted to Brig. Gen. near 
the close of the war. He was wall-eyed. The following paper 
from Col. Putnamf no doubt refers to the survey of the Hudson 
made agreeable to Gen. Schuyler's request. 

* These works, when completed, were called Fort Clinton. 

t While Col. Putnam was on duty in the neighborhood of West Point, he 

36 



554 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" PcehsJiiU, December 13^^, 1776. 
" Sir — I beg you will not delay sending a sketch of the North 
River through the Highlands, with a geographical description of 
the country on the west side ; as I am going in a few days to wait 
on His Excellency with the best account of this part of the country 
that, without an actual survey, I am able to give. If you cannot 
send to me in two days, you must send it to His Excellency as 
soon as possible, for I can wait no longer. 

" Sir, your humble servant, 

"R. PUTNAM." 
" To Lieut. Machin, Engineer." 

Jan. 7th, 1777, the State authorities took official cognizance of 
the doings of Capt. Machin, as appears by several resolutions on 
the " Journal of the Committee of Safety." His commission 
dates his rank as Captain Lieutenant of U. S. Artillery, on the 
1st day of January, 1777, although it did not pass the office of 
the Board of War, until April 21st, 1780. 

The succeeding papers directed " To Capt. Thomas Machin, 
at Murderer's Creek," one of which was without date, were evi- 
dently written while the navigation of the river was being ob- 
structed, in 1777. 

" To Capt. Machin: 

" Sir — I have already directed that no more timber should be 
cut on Mr. Ellison's land for the obstructions to be made in the ri- 
ver, (except it should be such long walnut pieces as could not be 
so conveniently had any where else,) until a proportionate share of 
timber for that use Avas also got on lands lying equally near the 
river. I am surprised, therefore, to hear that a company of car- 
penters are in his woods cutting away timber of every kind, which 
I trust must be without your order or knowledge. He is willing 
you should take such long walnut pieces as you want and can't 
get as conveniently elsewhere ; other kind of timber we certainly 

ascended Butter Hill with a party of his troops, and with their aid succeeded 
in prying: off from its summit a rock which weighed many tons. Started 
from such an eminence, the immense mass came thundering down the moun- 
tain crushing the forest trees which impeded its onward course, and dashed 
into the Hudson. Sloops navigating the river sometimes pass it inland. Its 
course upon the mountain side was long visible from the water to the summit 
of the Hill, and was called Putnam's Path. The rock is called Pctnam's 
Rock to this day. Some writers have fallen into the error of supposing the 
rock and its path called after Gen, Putnam. — Capt. Eben Williams. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 555 

can, and more so. I expect, therefore, you Avill direct the carpen- 
ters to desist cutting in his woods till further orders from me. 
" I am your most obed't serv't, 

. " GEO. CLINTON." 

" New Windsor, 3lst Jan'y, 1777. 

" Dr. Sir — I set out for Kingston to-morrow morning, where bu- 
siness will detain me a few days. I wished to have seen you be- 
fore I set out. I cannot now expect it. I think the artificers nei- 
ther go out early enough in the morning, or continue late enough 
in the evening, at work. I was surprised this day to see many 
break off a littte after three in the afternoon. It was said they had 
not been home to dinner, but allowing that to be the case, from 
nine in the morning until three in the afternoon is not by any 
means a day's work. To cure this mischief I enclose you an order 
which you '11 publish among those employed, and endeavor to carry 
it into execution. If you think the hours are too long, make any 
alteration you think right ; but pray, whatever hours are fixed on, 
contrive to make them work. 

" I am in great haste your most obed't, 

"GEO. CLINTON." 

" Cayt. Machine 

" Orders to he observed by the artificers and others employed in ob- 
structing the navigatio7i of Hudson's river, 13^A Jari'y, 1777. 
" As high wages are given by the public at this season of the 
year, when the days are short and the weather fickle, in order to 
have this most necessary work (on which not only the safety of this 
State, but of the whole continent depends,) completed in due sea- 
son: — It is therefore expected that those who are employed and re- 
ceive the public's money, will be faithful in the service and do the 
most they can. It is the business of the master workmen who 
have contracted to carry on the work and taken the charge of small 
parties under them, to see that they are diligently employed and 
work faithfully. It is for this they are allowed extra wages, and 
it is expected that in this way they will earn, or in justice they 
cannot expect to receive it. The monthly pay rolls must be at- 
tested (if required,) by the master workmen, and an honest man 
can never return a man for a full day's pay who has not done a 
full day's work. This would be dishonest and punishable ; but 
that every possible guard may be set against deception, and that 
all account for pay of artificers and others may stand fair and un- 
controvertible, the engineer is to fix upon the hour in the morning 
at which all hands are to be at work — the hour they are to quit for 
dinner, the time when they are to return to work after dinner, and 
break off in the evening ; and to cause the rolls to be called over 
by such person or persons as he shall appoint at those and such 
other times as he shall see fit ; and mark the defaulters (if any,) 
that a proper deduction may be made from their wages. It is ex- 



556 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

pected at present that those employed near the barracks will work 
at least eight hours every day, and those employed where the tim- 
ber now lays, or at that distance, at least seven. The time for 
working each day to be lengthened when the days grow longer. 

" GEO. CLINTON, B. GenHr 

Opposite is the facsimile of a letter from Gen. Washington 
" To Brigadier Gen. Knox, commanding the corps of Artillery." 
It was written during the visit of Capt. Machin to the Comman- 
der-in-chief, at his winter quarters : 

The following paper, which is without date, was no doubt 
written about the time Gen. Clinton visited Kingston : 

" Sir — I am informed that the Inhabitants of Kingston are de- 
sirous of making some Works for the Defence of their town. I 
approve of their intentions, and wish to give them every assistance 
in my power in the execution of this business ; and that the works 
may be constructed on a Plan most efficient and least expensive, I 
request you will repair to that place and assist in laying them out, 
in which Col. Bruyn will advise. It will not be practicable, 
neither do I conceive it necessary to enclose the town, as the hou- 
ses are stone, and will form (if the Windows and Doors are properly 
secured) good Lines of Defence. Small Redoubts or block-houses, 
therefore, at the different and most commanding quarters of the 
Town, are all that to me appear necessary ; which ought to be con- 
structed each for a Piece or two of artillery, so as to clear the lines 
formed by the houses ; and when it can be, convenient!}^, these 
should be so contiguous to each other as to be within the reach of 
Musquetry, which Avill be a saving of Ammunition. In construct- 
ing these works, it is to be observed that Artillery against them i.s 
not to be apprehended. 

" I am vour most obed't serv't. 

"GEO. CLINTON." 
" Capt. Machin:' 

By the next paper we perceive that Capt. Machin was given 
discretionary power, by Governor Clinton, to act in certain emer- 
gencies : 

" Dear Sir — I received yours of this date. I approve your con- 
duct in marching yoMX men against those Parricides, and no pains 
must be spared to apprehend or destroy them. Major Logan, and 
every other Officer in both Counties, I know, will exert themselves 




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AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 559 

on this occasion in drawing out the Militia for quelling this dange- 
ous insurrection ; nor must any risk be run in taking prisoners. 
" I am your most obd't serv't 
''March, lOth, 1777. " GEO. CLINTON, B. Gen." 

" P.S. A party will march towards the Forest of Dean, 1o guard the de- 
files there." 

" To Capt. Thomas Machinr 

" To Capt. Machin, at Capt. Nicolls\'' 
''Dear Sir — This will be handed you by Mr. Chambers from 
Marble Town, who has come down with 6 or 7 carpenters, to be 
employed in our works ; and in a few days I expect as many more 
will be here from that quarter as will complete his company to 12. 
As these are men who were engaged at our request, when the 
others misbehaved and quit work, they must be employed — in- 
deed, we can't have too many now. Hoav you will find room for 
them I can't tell, but you are good at contrivance. 
" I am your H. S. 

"GEO. CLINTON." 
" nth March, 1777." 

The following paper, from Gov. Clinton to Capt. Machin, shows 
the preparation making for the enemy's reception in the Highlands : 

" Dear Sir — Let one know immediately whether twelve Pound- 
ers, having the trunions broke off, can be quicker repaired by 
stocking them, or fixing new trunions to them. If the former way 
is the speediest and best, I beg you would come down here imme- 
diately and bring such Artificers with you as can do them directly. 
If the latter way is the best, can't you spare Van Houton, your 
Smith, to work a while at this business at Fort Constitution ? He 
shall be well used, and Barney will stay with him. On receipt 
hereof you will send down the two twelve Pounders at New 
Windsor, with the ammunition and stores belonging to them, to 
this Port. In their room I have ordered you the Brass 24 Pounder 
from Fishkill; it will suit you better, and you are to preserve her 
at all events ; if she should be lost at your Port you will be in Dis- 
grace forever. I expect you will have the 24 Ibr. to-morrow at 
your Port. If you come here yourself on an alarm, you will take 
care to leave behind you some persons who can use the 24 Ibr., 
and who will guard and save her. Gen. Putnam wants to know 
how you come forward with your Boom, and whether you meet any 
Obstructions in that Business which you did not forsee. 
" I am your most obd't serv't. 

"GEO. CLINTON." 

" Fort Montgomery, ^d July, 1777." 

" P. S. Wont your scow, well manned, bring the guns down quicker and ea- 



560 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

By a memorandum, found among the Machin papers, it appears 
that the sum of 07ie hundred and ffty pounds was paid in one 
month for teams " Employed in drawing Timber for the use of 
the works Obstructing the navigation of Hudson River," under his 
individual direction. Thirty shillings was the regular price paid 
per day for a teamster with two yoke of oxen. 

In anticipation of an attack from the enemy, under Sir Henry 
Clinton, the following orders were issued by Gen. James Clinton : 

" Head Quarters, Fort Montgomery, July lOth, 1777. 

" The Signals to be given on the approach of the Enemy : On 
the firing of Two Cannon at Peekskill by Gen. Varnam one min- 
ute from each other ; Two will be fired by Gen. Huntington ; Two 
by Gen. Parsons ; to be answered by Two at Fort Independence ; 
Two at Fort Montgomery; Two at Fort Constitution: and the 
Beacon there to be fired as usual ; to be answered by two from the 
Brass twenty-four Pounder, near New Windsor : upon this Sig- 
nal, the Militia on the West side of Hudson's River, in the Coun- 
ties of Orange and Ulster, as far up as Col. Harbrouk's Regiment, 
including the same, are to march by detachments, without further 
notice, as a Reinforcement of this Garrison, and the Militia on the 
East side of the River, as far up as Poughkeepsie, including Col. 
Freus' Regiment, to march for the reinforcing the Garrison under 
Gen. Putnam. 

" This order is immediately to be published by the Command- 
ing officer at Fort Constitution, and copies of it transmitted by him 
to Capt. Lieut. Machin, of the Artillery at New Windsor, that he 
may cause the same to be published there." 

In the month of September Capt. Machin was engaged in the 
recruiting service, as his correspondence with Col. John Lamb, his 
commanding officer, doth show. 

Early in October, to make a diversion in favor of Gen. Bur- 
goyne. Sir Henry Chnton ascended the Hudson with his army, 
and succeeded, with a severe loss, in storming Forts Montgomery 
and Clinton, on the west bank of the Hudson, six miles below 
West Point — one on either side of Poplopin's kill. At the time 
of the attack on the former fort, Capt. Machin managed a heavy 
gun which did fearful execution in the ranks of the assailants. 
As the army drew near the fort, late in the afternoon, Machin saw 
a man step from the ranks of the enemy and poise his musket to 
fire at him. He had just prepared his ordnance for a discharge, 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 561 

loaded to the muzzle with round, grape and double headed bar 
shot, the latter projecting from the gun ; as he caught the eye of 
the soldier who had raised his piece to fire on him. Machin's gun- 
ner in the act of applying the match, was shot down by his side, 
and the former snatching the linstock from the hand of the fallen 
hero applied it to the gun, the contents of which mowed a fearful 
swath, causing the assailants to fall back. At the instant the 
match was applied, Machin received a bullet in his body, and re- 
tired with the wounded. The ball entered his breast and came 
out under his right shoulder. A man who was aiding the woun- 
ded captain, near sundown, in his retreat, was shot and fell upon 
him, and it was with no little difficulty he extricated himself from 
his dying comrade. It began to grow dark, when Machin asked 
a retreating soldier if he could not help him. " It is a d — dgood 
fellow who can help himself," was the unfeeling reply, as the 
man passed on. Capt. Machin was soon after taken into a boat 
and thus made his escape. On the morning following, Capt. Mil- 
ligan of Orange county, who had been wounded the preceding 
evening in one knee, was discovered near the river, by the ene- 
my, of whom he begged for quarters ; instead of granting which, 
his unfeeling foes bayoneted and threw him down the rocks. 
While recovering from his wounds Capt. Machin was entertained 
at the house of Gov. Clinton, from whose family he received the 
kindest treatment. The Americans, on losing Forts Montgomery 
and Clinton, abandoned Fort Constitution as untenable, leaving in 
their retreat considerable booty to the enemy. Gen. Vaughan then 
ascended the river as far as Kingston, burning it and destroying 
a large quantity of military stores there collected ; soon after 
which most of the army returned to New York city ; evacuating 
the captured forts, but retaining and fortifying Stoney Point, a 
few miles below Forts Montgomery and Clinton. 

Early in December Capt. Machin was so far recovered from 
his wound as to be engaged in his regular duties, as the following 
Clinton papers will show. 

" Little Britain, 1st Dec'r, 1777. 
" Dear Machin — I wrote to Doctor Tappen and Maj. Billings 
some time ago to endeavor to provide me a house at or near Pough- 



562 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

keepsie, providing the legislature determined to meet at that place ; 
since which I have not heard from them. Mrs. Clinton is anxious 
to get settled again, and as I believe Poughkeepsie wrould be her 
choice as well as the place where the legislature will meet, I will 
be much obliged to you if you will be kind enough to take a ride 
there, consult with Maj. Billings and Doct. Tappen, and concert 
with them — endeavor to procure some convenient house for me. 
It will be no objection should it be a mile or two out of town. 

" I offered Capt. Harris the use of my house this winter for his 
family. He thinks it would be too lonesome for her, [his wife.] 
But as Mrs. Bedlow is not to move to New Windsor, suppose Capt. 
Harris was to move into my house and you was to take your lodg- 
ings with them ; and indeed Capt. Harris will be at home great 
part if not the whole of the winter. Will you mention this to the 
captain ? 

" I have a cot at my house out of Avhich the militia stole the 
irons: will you get it repaired for me, as I have no other bed or 
bedstead. 

" I am Dr. Sir, yours sincerely, 

"GEO. CLINTON." 

" P. S. If you go to Poughkeepsie advise me of it by a line. Maj. Taylor 
will furnish you with a horse for the purpose." 

" Poughkeepsie, I2lk Dec, 1777. 
"Dear Machm — There are some mahogany boards in and about 
our mill which Mrs. Clinton brought from Capt. Nevin's, which I 
wish you would measure and secure for me. You forgot to send 
my razors ; pray let me have them by first good conveyance. 

"Yours sincerely, 

"GEO. CLINTON." 

"P. S. We are all well. 

" Mrs. Clinton's compliments to you." 

" Poughkeepsie, 19th BecW, 1777. 
" Dear Sir — I am much obliged to you for the wood, &c., you 
have sent me by Serg't Halsted. The sloop carries but six and a 
half cords of wood : I have therefore got but that quantity. The 
Sheep the sergeant tells me he put up in my stable and gave 
them in charge of some militia that were threshing : in the mor- 
ning they were gone, so that I have not got them. I suppose, or 
at least it is likely, they stole them. I wish you would try to find 
them again, and Avhen you come to see us throw them in the bot- 
tom of your slay [sleigh] and you shall eat part of them. Sam 
gave your saddle-bags to Col. Dubois' Bob, Avho promised to take 
care of them for you. Col. Taylor promised to send Mrs. Clinton 
two pots, which he has forgot; perhaps you may have an opportu- 
nity to send or bring them. As to my house and farm, I leave it 
entirely at your discretion and disposal. I wish to oblige Capt. 
Harris, but if he declines you can let it to who [whom] you 
please. I wish to have the timber saved as much as possible. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 563 

" I had letters from Head Quarters dated the 3d and 10th in- 
stant. No News there. Gen, Washington is anxious about se- 
curing the river. Putnam is ordered to turn his whole attention to 
that business, and will be up with his troops in a few days. 
Colonels Webb and Ely were taken in a sloop with about thirty men, 
crossing to Long Island, by an armed brig. Gen. Parsons has had 
a brush with the Hessians, beat them and took one field piece, it 
is said, but wants confirmation. Ensign Adamson about a week 
ago broke his parole and went off", but was fortunately taken with 
six other rascals, in Mile-Square — two of them negroes he had se- 
duced ofl^. Mrs. Clinton joins in best respects to you and love to 
Caty. I wish to see you soon. 

"Yours sincerely, 

"GEO. CLINTON," 

' The following is the copy of a letter from Capt. Machin to the 
New York Council of Safety, preserved among his papers : 

" To the Honorable Committee of JVew Windsor : 

" Gentlemen — It will be needless for me to point out to you 
the necessity of some speedy obstructions being made in Hudson's 
river, against gun-boats, galleys and small crafts that will pro- 
bably come up at the first opening of the spring, and prevent our 
making such necessary works as may preserve the good people 
on the banks of the river, from the revenge of a merciless enemy 
{remember Kingston), towards effecting which, much time has al- 
ready elapsed and but little done, which drives me to the necessi- 
ty of applying to the Honorable Committee on this occasion. 

" We shall want a large quantity of timber for the Chain, 
which cannot be got up the river on account of the frost ; and 
when the frost breaks up it will be too late for our business. I 
shall not think it consistent with my duty to distress any indivi- 
dual by cutting all the timber off' one man's land, and thereby 
render a good farm of little value ; and I cannot always be with 
men in the woods : useless destruction may b^e made by them un- 
less over seen by somebody to prevent it. For this purpose I 
should be glad if the Honorable Committee will appoint a Wood 
Eanger to oversee the business, that the Master Carpenters may 
apply to him for such timber as they shall receive orders to get. 
It ought to be a person in disinterested circumstances, a man of 
honor, resolution and stability. A compliance with this will 
much forward the present business and oblige — gentlemen, 

" You humble servant, 

THOS. MACHIN. 

New Windsor, 22d Feb., 1778. 

The following letter from Gen. James Clinton to Capt. Ma- 
chin, is of a private rather than public character j and shows that 



564 msTORY OF schoharie county, 

some men even at that early day, were rather above their busi- 
ness : or had conceived that sickly modern notion of its being 
dishonorable or disgraceful to labor. If it be honorable to dis- 
obey the commands of God, then indeed is it dishonor ahle to 
work — but if not — not. 

" Little Britain, March, Uh, 1778. 
" Dear Sir — I received your favor by Lieut. Strachan with a 
few lines from Col. Taylor inclosed, concerning a complaint that 
Capt. Young has made against Capt. Mills, (both of the Artificers,) 
but as Col. Taylor does dot set forth what injury Capt. Mills has 
done Capt. Young, I can't give you any advice about the matter. 

" I think your letter seems to confirm the charge against both of 
them ; for what can stain an officer's character more than not do- 
ing his duty ? A captain of a company of artificiers, if he does 
his duty, will have harder work than any of the privates, and I 
think you are answerable for their conduct, as you have the charge 
of the work ; and if they dont do their duty you must arrest them, 
if nothing else will do. 

" If they be gentlemen of such high spirits as to think it a scan- 
dal for them to work because they bear the title of captain, I think 
they might decide such disputes between themselves without troub- 
ling any officer with it. Inclosed you have Col. Taylor's report, 
and if I must give my opinion of the matter, let me know what 
stories Capt. Mills has propagated against Capt. Young. 

" I am, Sir, Yours, 
" JAMES CLINTON, B. G." 

The following papers will show the spring of 1778, like that 
of the preceding year, to have been a very busy one in the High- 
lands of the Hudson : 

" Sir: — As Col. Laradiere has left us, I wish you, if you can be 
absent from New Windsor for a day to come to this port to-morrow 
or the day after, to advise about the proper method of fortifying 
this place. 

" From, Sir, your humble servant, 

" SAM'L H. PARSONS. 
" West Point, Uth March, 1778." 

" Monday afternoon, March Uth, 1778. 
"My Dear Captain : — You will receive by the bearer some paper 
and all the white rope of the size mentioned we have. I have sent 
off Charley this minute to forward the cordage from Danbuiy, as 
well as from Fairfield, but cant say what size there is at the latter 
[place], as it is sent by Mr. Shaw, of New London, at the request 
of Gen. Putnam, who never told me the sizes he ordered. I be- 
lieve there are no more cables to be expected of Mr. Ives till he 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 565 

gets more hemp — at least,, I understood him so. In my letter to 
Gen, Putnam, I informed him, while he was in Connecticut, that 
all sizes would be wanted, and advised that the whole cargo should 
be bought. 

"He referred the matter to Governor Trumbull, (and I imagine) 
the Governor to Mr. Shaw, who may, possibly, serve himself first. 
However, as I said before, Charles is gone to learn the true state 
of what is on the road, and forward it along. When he returns, 
which will be in two or three days, I expect, you shall hear further. 
I will wait on the general, and let you know his orders concerning 
the hands. Inclosed you have the general's order for the men re- 
quired. " I am. Dear Captain, 

" Yours in truth, 

"J. HUGHES. 

"P. S. You have also an order on Sheaf at Wappinger's creek." 

" Little Britain, March 20th, 1778. 
" Dear Sir : — I expected to have been to see you before now, but 
the riding was so bad I deferred it a little while, as I want to go to 
the West Point. I send my boy for the papers if they are come. 

" I suppose you begin to ketch [catch] some fish this fine weath- 
er ; if so, I would be glad you would send a few up here — and you 
will oblige, Yours, 

"JAMES CLINTON." 

The following paper, which is without date or signature, is in 
the hand writing of Gov. Clinton, and was filed by Capt. Machin 
as received from him March 20th, 1778 : 

" Mr. Machinwill write to Samuel Bronson, at Goshen, to know 
if he has any knowledge of a lead mine in the mountains, about 
nine miles off the river, of which he once spoke to Thos, Smith, 
Esq. 

" Mr. Machin will also go to Wavvarsink and see the mine there 
now working by one McDonald, and what prospect there is of work- 
ing it to purpose. It is said there is a lead mine near Mamecot- 
tang [Mamakating, as now written], and one on this side the Shaw- 
angunk mountains, of which make inquiry — of the latter from Col. 
Palmer, the former from everybody. Mr. Wisner has the samples 
of them ; get those from him in those of Wasink in Dutch- 
ess and ." [Several words at the close of this paper are 

rendered unintelligible.] 

" Sir — if 'tis possible to spare any timber from the creek, I beg 
you to order it rafted immediately for this place, where we are 
in the greatest need of it ; it ought not to be delayed a moment, 
our information being of a nature which requires immediate at- 
tention to compleating the batteries. [Probably in the vicinity of 
West Point.] 

Your obedient serv't, 

"- 3^ April, 1778. SAML. H. PARSONS." 



566 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

The following is the copy of a letter from Capt. Machin to 
Gen. McDougal, which shows when the chain, which was stretch- 
ed across the Hudson at West Point, was completed. 

" Honored Sir — Lieut. Woodward who I told you was at 
Sterling iron works inspecting the chain, is now returned, and 
informs me that seventeen hundred feet of the Great Chain, 
which is more than equal to the breadth of the river at the place 
last fixed upon, is now ready for use. The capson [capstan] and 
docks are set up at the lower place ; the mud blocks are launched 
and only wait for good weather to carry them down : four cannon, 
twelve and nine pounders are at the beach, also waiting for 
weather to go down : four more will be ready by Saturday ; and 
if no unforseen accident should appear, I shall be able to send 
down four cannon next week. If the weather should be favorable, 
I am in hopes we shall be able to take the chain down all fixed 
in about 6 days. Lieut. Woodward was ordered by Gen. Parsons 
to assist me at those works, and as he is a gentleman well skilled 
in mechanical powers, and a person of steady application, it will 
put me much out of the way to have him removed at this time. 
Should therefore be glad if you will continue him in the work, as 
somebody must be in his place, and to take an entire stranger at 
this time will be onerous and dangerous. 

I am, dear sir. 

Your humble servant, 

THOS. MACHIN." 

" The Honorable Maj. Gen. McDougal. 

" April 20ih, 1778." 

" Poughkeepsie, 3d May, 1778. 
" Dear Sir — I received your letter of yesterday and am happy 
to learn that the chain is across the river, and that you had the 
good fortune to accomplish it so expeditiously and so much to your 
satisfaction, 

" I am informed that old Mr. Teabout, who lives (or did lately) 
at Van Deuzens, near the Clove, has a phaeton that he will dispose 
of. If so, and it is a neat, good one, as I am told it is, I wish to 
buy it, provided it can be had at a reasonable price. A new one 
used to cost about £80. I would be willing to give something 
more now. Will you call and take a look at it — know the price, 
and if good and reasonable purchase it for me. The sooner you 
see it the better. Yours, sincerely, 

''Capt Machin. GEO. CLINTON." 

The following paper tells credibly for the skill and character of 
Capt. Machin : 

" I hereby certify that about the middle of July, 1776, Capt. 
Machin, of the Artillery, came to Fort Montgomery, and by the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 567 

direction of His Excellency, Gen. Washington, was there employ- 
ed in laying out and erecting works for the defence of that place, 
and for securing the pass to Anthony's Nose, until towards the lat- 
ter part of August, when Gen. James Clinton took the command of 
that post. That in December following, Capt. Machin was em- 
ployed in constructing chevaux-de-frize for obstructing the navi- 
gation of Hudson's river, opposite Pollopel's island ; and that he 
continued in that business, sinking the same, making the necessa- 
ry preparations for fixing the chain across the river at Fort Mont- 
gomery, and occasionally superintending the works at that place, 
until some time in June 1777, when Gen. Putnam took the com- 
mand of the army in the neighborhood of the North river, and by 
his orders Capt. Machin was employed in constructing and making 
booms to draw across the river in front of the chain, till the reduc- 
tion of that fort by the enemy, at which time he was badly wound- 
ed. And I have reason to believe, that upon his recovery he has 
been steady employed to this time in the necessary preparations 
for fixing the new chain across the river, completing one of the 
booms, the chevaux-de-frize, and raising the galley which was 
sunk on the enemy's advance up the river. In justice to Capt. 
Machin I am bound to add, that while he was under my command 
he discovered great diligence and industry in forwarding the differ- 
ent works committed to his care, and that in the execution of them 
he experienced an uncommon share of labor and fatigue, being 
often necessarily exposed to work in the water in very cold weath- 
er. 

" Given under my hand at Poughkeepsie, this 17th of August, 
1778, GEO. CLINTON." 

The expenses of placing obstructions in the Hudson at the 
Highlands, were necessarily very great. An account current, in 
the hand writing of Capt. Machin, shews an indebtedness (before 
deducting assets,) of the " Quarter Master General, to Noble & 
Townsend, proprietors for the Sterling Iron Works," for some 
135 tons of iron wrought into booms, bolts, dips, chains, swivels, 
clevises, bands, &c., oi fourteen thousand eight hundred and sixty- 
nine dollars and eighty nine cents ; nearly all of which is accre- 
dited in the latter part of the year 1777. Another memorandum 
among the Machin papers, which is headed " A general abstract 
of several companies of Artificers employed in the works obstruct- 
ing the navigation of Hudson's River, under the direction of Capt. 
Thomas Machin, Superintendent," gives the footing of the Pay- 
rolls for the labor of twelve companies of artificers, which 
amounts to eleven thousand eighty-nine dollars and fifty cents : 



568 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

the longest term for which any of the Rolls was made being from 
Dec, 1776, to the first of June, 1777. After the enemy evacu- 
ated Fort Montgomery, and the Americans began to repair those 
works in the fall of 1777, a dock, anchor and booms, for obstruct- 
ing the river at that place, were again constructed by Capt. Ma- 
chin, as engineer, agreeably to the orders of Gen. Putnam, as his 
papers show. 

The iron of which the mammoth chain used at West Point was 
manufactured, was wrought from ore in equal parts from Sterling 
and Long Mines, Orange county, N. Y. The links of this chain 
weighed from 100 to 150 pounds each. The whole chain weigh- 
ed 186 tons.* This chain was buoyed up in the middle of the 
river by several large spars, secured a few feet apart by strong 
timbers framed into them, upon which the chain rested. Every 
Fall it was drawn on shore by a windlass and the float taken 
out — both being replaced early in the Spring. — [Capt. Ehen Wil- 
liams.) The chain, as may be supposed, was properly fastened 
on shore at the ends. Several writers have promulged an error 
by stating that a chain was stretched across the Hudson, at West 
Point, in the Autumn of 1777. 

A chain of half the diameter of the one placed at West Point, 
in the Spring of 1778, was drawn across the river near Fort 

• Report of W. Horton, assistant Geologist in 1838, on the geology of Or- 
ange county. 

In addition to the above, I glean the following facts from a letter from Pe- 
ter Townsend, Esq , of New York, to Mr. Franklin Townsend, of Albany; 
the latter gentleman is a great-grandson of Peter Townsend, of Chester, the 
principal contractor for manufacturing the chain. The Sterling Iron Works, in 
Sterling, Orange county, are situated 25 miles back of West Point, and have 
been in extensive operation since about the year 1750. Col. Timothy Pick- 
ering, who was entrusted with the responsibility of making the chain, ac- 
companied by Capt. Machin, arrived at the house of Mr. Townsend, in Ches- 
ter, late on a Saturday evening, early in March, 1778. The latter gentleman 
readily agreed to construct the chain, and such was their zeal in the popular 
cause, that the parties left Chester at midnight, in a violent snow-storm, and 
rode to the Sterling works, a distance of fourteen miles, to commence the 
job. At daylight on Sunday morning, Mr. Townsend had all his forges in 
operation, and the chain was begun. The work went on without interruption, 
the herculean task was finished, and the chain, carted in sections by New 
England teamsters, delivered at West Point in six weeks. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



569 



Montgomery, in Nov., 1776. This chain, which, agreeably to 
the letter of Peter Townsend, already quoted, was made at the 
Ringwood Iron Works, New Jersey, and composed of cold short 
iron, was broken by the enemy in the fall of 1778. The West 
Point chain crossed the river just above the Point to Constitution 
Island, a distance of some 1500 feet. It was guarded by a 
strong battery, erected at each end to command its approach, and 
was never molested by the enemy. 




WEST POINT, AS SEEN IN 1780. 

Explanation. — A, a battery on Constitution island. B, the great 
chain suspended across the Hudson, C, Fort Clinton on the West 
Point. The latter, which occupied nearly the present site of the 
military academy, commanded a southern approach to the Point. 

The following letter, found in the correspondence of the Pro- 
vincial Congress of JV. Y., shows the result of the survey, made 
agreeably to the request of Gen. Schuyler, in the Autumn of 
1776 : 

"Nov. 22, 1776. 
" In consequence of a letter received by us, the subscribers, 
members of the secret committee, from the Committee of Safety, 
dated the — day of November instant, when we were at Fort 
Montgomery fixing the chain across the river, enclosing an extract 
from Gen. Schuyler, requesting the Convention to have the river 
sounded in diiFerent places in the Highlands, we have sounded the 



570 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

river, beginning between Verplanck's and Stoney Point, thence 
northward through the Highlands to Pollopel's Island, and find no 
part of the river in that distance less than eighty feet deep in the 
main channel, till within a short distance of the island. 

" From the island to the western shore, we found, by measure- 
ment, the distance to be fifty three chains ; the channel near the 
middle of the river at that place, is about eighty chains broad, and 
about fifty feet deep ; from the channel the water shoals gradually 
on both sides to the flats, which are about eight or ten chains 
broad, reckoning both sides. This above described place is the 
only one, in our opinion, that it is possible for an obstruction to be 
made by docking, effectually to impede the navigation of Hudson's 
river, at any place above the south part of the Highlands. 

" HENRY WISNER. 

" GILBERT LIVINGSTON." 

In accordance with the survey made as above certified, chev- 
auxdefrize were sunk in the river between Pollopel's Island and 
the west bank of the river, under the direction of Capt. Machin. 
The chain which guarded the river near Fort Montgomery, parted 
twice soon after it was fastened. The following certifies to the 
accident : 

" Fort Montgomery, Dec. 9, 1776. 
" These are to certify that the chain that has been stretched 
across the North river at this fort, has been broke twice ; the first, 
a swivel broke, which came from Ticonderoga, which was not 
welded sound ; the second time, a clevin broke, which was made 
at Poughkeepsie, in a solid part of the chain, and no flaw to be 
seen in any part of said chain. Which we do certify at the re- 
quest of Messrs. Odle and Vanduzer. 

"JAMES CLINTON, B. Gen. 

"ABM. SWARTWOUT, Capt. 

"JAS. ROSECRANS, Capt. 

" DANL. LAWRENCE, Lieut." 

This chain, which was stretched across the river from Fort 
Montgomery to Anthony's Nose, was 1800 feet long. The State 
Committee authorized Capt. Machin to alter it or change its place. 
Below the chain he placed a boom. Of those works the historian 
Botta thus observes : " They loere remarkable for their perfection, 
and had been executed with equalindustry and difficulty.''^ 

Several writers have stated that skillful engineers were sent 
out by the King of France to explore the Highlands of the Hud- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 571 

son, and locate suitable defences; that they superintended the 
erection of forts and obstructions along the river, for which they 
were never paid. This is all untrue. The Continental Congress 
recommended a survey of the Hudson, and the erection of seve- 
ral batteries in the Highlands, as early as May, 1775. In June 
following, Col. James Clinton and Christopher Tappen were ap- 
pointed by the Provincial Congress of New York to designate sites, 
and having reported to that body, it resolved to build them. Com- 
missioners to superintend the construction of the works were select- 
ed from the delegates, of which number John Berrien acted as com- 
missary. Bernard Romans, then a pensioner from the British crown, 
was employed to act as engineer, and entered upon the duties in 
the latter part of September. Fort Constitution, situated on 
" Martelair's Rock Island," afterwards called Constitution Island, 
in the east side of the Hudson, just above the West Point, was 
then commenced. Some difficulty having arisen between the en- 
gineer and commissioners, a special committee visited the works 
in December, to reconcile the existing differences. They censured 
the course of the ensrineer in not consultinor the commissioners — dis- 
approved of the plan adopted, as too expensive for the benefits 
likely to accrue, and recommended the erection of defensive works 
at Poplopins' kill. Romans continued at Fort Constitution until 
some time in the winter. 

In January, 1776, the erection of a battery, to mount 30 guns, 
was commenced by Thomas Grennell, one of the commissioners, 
on an eminence 714 yards east of West Point, to command the 
stretch of the river above and below it, about which time a bat- 
tery, to mount eighteen heavy cannon, was begun on a gravel 
hill, 500 yards eastward of Fort Constitution, and 1700 north of 
the other battery, intended to cover the fort and scour the West 
Point. In Feb., 1776, Capt. Smith, Gen. Lee's engineer, suc- 
ceeded Mr. Romans, and began the construction of Fort Mont- 
gomery, on the north chop of Poplopin's kill, 6 miles distant 
from Fort Constitution : and soon after, Fort Clinton, on the south 
side of the kill was commenced. 

Application having been made in June, 1776, to Gen. Wash- 

37 



572 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ington for an engineer, by the Provincial Congress of New York, 
he agreed to send them one " who would take the whole direction 
of the works in the Highlands ;" whereupon the commissioners 
were discharged from further service. The engineer sent, as has 
been shown, was Capt. Thomas Machin. 

The correspondence inserted will serve to show the reader, to 
some extent, the duties performed by Capt. Machin in the High- 
lands. Under his direction, forts Montgomery and Clinton were 
completed, and several other forts and batteries along the river 
planned and erected, and the navigation obstructed. After the 
enemy destroyed forts Montgomery and Clinton, the latter was 
never rebuilt, but a strong fortress was placed on West Point, 
(the present site of the military academy,) and given the same 
name. Above, and commanding this fort, stood Fort Putnam, the 
ruins of which are still visible, and on an eminence, half a mile 
south-west of 'the former, was a strong reboubt called Fort 
Willis. 

Early in Jan., 1778, John Sloss Hobart, Henry Wisner, John 
Hathorn, and Zeph. Piatt, delegated for that purpose by the 
State Congress, Generals Putnam and George Chnton, the Lieut. 
Col. of Engineers, Capt. Machin, and several other military gen- 
tlemen, met at Poughkeepsie, to consult about fortifying and ob- 
structing the Hudson ; and the works located at and near West 
Point, were placed there in accordance with their views. Gene- 
rals Schuyler, Lee, Sterling, and a few other officers, were also 
consulted on some occasions, about fortifying the river. 

The following letter from Doct. Freeman, shows Capt. Machin 
still engaged in the valley of the Hudson. 

" Sandwich, August lOth. 1778. 

" Dear Sir — Your favor by Mr. Williams I received, also one 
before ; am very glad to hear you are well, and employing your 
ingenuity and abilities in such a glorious cause, and with suci 
promising aspects. 

" Your chest of books and instruments are safe here, and readv 
to be delivered to your order at any time, and should be very happy 
to see you here yourself, which hope shall have opportunity for ere 
long. Mr. Williams can tell you all y"^ news from (his quarter, 
to whom I refer you. He manifests a great regard for you, and 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 573 

any favor you can show him will meet my sincerest gratitude, as 
he is my neighbor and friend. Your letters give me much satis- 
faction, and would have been answered before, but for want of 
opportunity. As often as you write me you will greatly oblige 
your affectionate friend and humble serv't. 

" N. FEEEMAN." 

" Mrs. Freeman sends her compliments, &c.." 

" P. S. Our report respecting the channel was seasonably made 
and in favor of it, but nothing done." 

Lieut. Woodward, mentioned by Capt. Machin as being his 
assistant at West Point, became after they separated his constant 
correspondent. The following is one of his letters. 

" White Plams, 5th Sept. 1778, 
" Dear Captain — This is the fourth time of my writing without 
hearing or receiving from you. I believe you to be buried by this. 
Give me joy; I am ordered to join Capt. Walker, who is annexed 
to Gen. Huntington's Brigade near the Artillery Park. We live 
exceedingly happy on rum, beef and bread. The board of officers' 
are sitting to settle the rank of the regiment, which makes me sorry 
you are not present. I waited on Gen. Parsons yesterday, who 
expressed surprise that you had not got down yet. Your company 
does duty with Capt. Wool's in Gen. Clinton's Brigade. Your 
lads are all well and want to see you. Our Captains are all high 
for rank. I hope you will not forget my foiles, but send them 
down by the first opportunity. I should be very glad if you can 
send dovvn my ward, which is in my chest at Mr. Fraser's. Give 
my tender regards to Mrs. Logan and the Maj. if returned — also 
Co all your friends as well as mine. ^ 
" Your friend, 

" PETER WOODWARD.^' 

In a bill of expenses for extra services, Capt. Machin rendered 
in 1778, are the following items : " Exploring Hudson's River 
from the 1st day of Jan. with 7 men 6 days, ;£6 10 ; expenses 
of getting down the chain logs with 40 men 4 days, £6 ; ex- 
penses in raising the Lady Washington galley at Kingston creek 
20 days, £9 10 6." This vessel was purposely sunk on the 
enemy's approach the preceding October. 

In the years 1777 and 1778, Capt. Machin paid out, indepen- 
dent of sums already named, as appears from the vouchers among 
his papers, between thiriy arid forty thousand dollars — mostly for 
obstructing the River. The usual price paid carpenters per day 
was iO.93, — foreman $1.50 : blacksmiths from $1.37^ to $1.50 



574 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

— foreman |2 : artificers same as blacksmiths: shipwrights $1. 
50 — foreman $2.12i, and captains of companies $3. "Joshua 
Marriner, super-instructor of the artificers, employed in making 
carriages and stocking cannon," had $2 per day. Men employed 
in the summer of 1778, in burning coal to be used in preparing 
obstructions for the River, received 7^. 6d, or 93| cents per day. 
The burning of coal from January to August of that year 
amounted, as appears by vouchers, to two hundred and forty dol- 
lars. A few pounds of sole-leather used in making pump boxes 
to aid in raising sunken vessels, was paid for at the rate of $1.25 
per pound. 

As appears from Capt. Machin's papers, he acted in the latter 
part of 1776, and early part of 1777, under the direction of Gov. 
Clinton : in the latter part of that year and early part of 1778, 
under that of Maj. Gen. Putnam ; and in the summer and autumn 
of 1778, under that of Brig. Gen. Parsons. 

To secure the passage of the Hudson through the Highlands 
against the enemy's shipping, was considered of most vital impor- 
tance ; and its principal direction being assigned to Capt. Machin, 
tells credibly for his skill and integrity. 

In the spring of 1779, as a part of the meditated invasion of 
the Indian country in New-York by Gen. Sullivan; Col. Van 
Schaick marched to Onondaga, as I have shown, to destroy the 
possessions of that nation. The follov^'ing journal of that trans- 
action is on file among Capt. Machin's papers. 

" Early on Monday morning, 19th of April, 1779 — Marched 
from Fort Schuyler with a detachment of troops consisting of 558 
men including officers; and after marching [putting] eight days 
provision into bateaus which had been conveyed over the carrying 
place in the night, and leaving a sufficient number of soldiers to 
assist the bateaumen to get the boats down Wood Creek, with five 
officers to hurry them on — the remainder of the troops marched to 
the old scow place, twenty-two miles by land, but much more by 
water : the troops arrived by 3 o'clock P, M., but the boats did not 
all arrive until 10 o'clock, having been much obstructed by trees 
which had fallen across the Creek. As soon as the bonis arrived 
the whole of the troops embarked, and on entering the Onidahogo 
[Oneida Lake], was much impeded by a cold head wind. Made 
one halt in the night for the rearmost boats to come up, and then 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 575 

proceeded to Posser's Bay, where we arrived at 8 o'clock in the 
morning of the 20th, to wait again for the coming up of the boats, 
when we continued with as much expedition as possible to the On- 
ondaga Landing opposite the old fort, and arrived there at 3 o'clock 
P. M. from whence, after leaving the boats with proper guard, we 
marched eight or nine miles on our way to the Onondaga settle- 
ment and lay on our arms all night without fire, not being able to 
continue our marching — dark — the night cold. V"ery early on the 
21st proceeded on to the old Salt Lake, and at 9 o'clock A. M. 
forded an arm of that Lake two hundred yards over and four feet 
deep a considerable part of the way : pushed on to the Onondaga 
Creek, where Capt, Graham with his company of Light Infantry 
took an Onondaga warrior prisoner, which was the first Indian we 
had discovered. Ordered Capt. Graham to endeavor to surround 
the first Onondaga settlements which were about two miles off, 
and hastening on the troops by companies as fast as he crost the 
Creek upon a log — the Creek not being fordable. I soon arrived 
with the whole detachment at the principal Castle, but was before 
apprised of their having discovered our advanced parties while they 
were taking some prisoners, upon which I ordered different routes 
to be taken by several different detachments in order to surround 
as many of their settlements as possible at the same time, which 
extended eight miles in length, with some scattered habitations 
lying back of the coasts and on the opposite side of the Creek ; 
but notwithstanding, entered their first settlement in the most secret 
manner and quite undiscovered by them. They soon received the 
alarm throughout the whole and fled to the woods, but without 
being able to carry off any thing with them. We took thirty-three 
Indians and one white prisoner, and killed twelve Indians — the 
whole of their settlement consisting of about fifty houses, with a 
quantity of corn and every other kind of stock we found were 
killed [destroyed] — about one hundred guns, some of which were 
rifles, were among the plunder, the whole of which, after the men 
had loaded [themselves] with as much as they could carry, was 
destroyed, with a considerable quantity of ammunition : one swivel 
taken at the Council House had the trunnions broken off and 
otherwise damaged : in fine, the destruction of all their settle- 
ments was compleat, after which we begun our march back re- 
crossing the Creek, and forded the arm of the Lake alongside of 
which we encamped on very good ground ; having been once in- 
terrupted in our return by a small party of Indians who fired at us 
from the opposite side of the Creek, but were soon beat off by 
Lient. Evans' riflemen, with the loss of one killed on the part of 
the enemy and none on ours ; unfair weather all this day. 22d 
marched down to the landing; found bateaus in good order; re- 
embarked and rowed down to the Seven Miles' Island where we 
encamped — fair weather. 23d, crossed the Lake and landed two 
miles up Wood Creek ; at two o'clock left two companies to guard 
and assist the bateaumen in getting up the boats — marched eight 
miles and encamped alongside Feais Creek — fair weather. Sa- 



576 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

turday 24th, small shower of rain on our march to the Fort, where 
we arrived at 12 o'clock ; having been out five days and a half, 
the whole distance of going out and returning being one hundred 
eighty miles, not having lost a single man." 

In May, 1779, Capt. Machin was engaged in taking a water- 
level between Albany and Schenectada, with a view of supply- 
ing the former city with water. He submitted a plan for this 
object to the city corporation, with drawings to show the manner 
in which an aqueduct and reservoir should be constructed. 
Agreeable to his table of levels, a mark on a post at the water- 
ing trough at Bratfs half-way house, was 277 feet S^Vo inches 
above the city hall wharf. The first mile stone out of Albany 
was 211 feet 5f/o inches below the mark at Bratt's. 

Capt. Machin, as engineer, was in Sullivan's expedition to the 
Genesee valley in 1779. At Canajoharie he received one, and at 
Otsego lake the other, of the following letters from Dr. Young. 

"Dear Sir — Yours of the 21st by Doct. Maus came safe to 
hand this forenoon, and gives me the greatest pleasure to find 
things are conducted with spirit. The fortunate capture and im- 
mediate execution of Lieut. Hare, will, I hope, produce good 
consequences, as it will convince the enemy, that we have spirit 
enough to retaliate, and chastise them for their savage barbarity. 
The surgeon of Hazen's regiment writes Doct. Stringer, that Ha- 
zen, with about half the regiment are within 40 miles of St. 
Johns, that many Canadians had joined him, that the Canadians 
in bulk (a few of the lowest of the people excepted,) are strongly 
attached to the cause of the Americans. That two French frigates 
have lately made their appearance in St. Paul's Bay, near Isle a 
Caiidre, and that no English vessels had arrived this season, 
which causes some to imagine that the French have a fleet in the 
river. The news from Charles Town, I think may be depended 
upon — as soon as it comes oflicially from Congress, I will trans- 
mit it to you by the first opportunity. Continue to write, and ex- 
pect the most material occurrences in our quarter in return. Two 
members of Congress, viz: Doct. Weatherspoon and Col. Atlee 
passed thro' this place to the state of Vermont, on Monday; pro- 
bably to deliver to them [Vermonters] the sentiments of Congress 
concerning their separation from this state. 

" Please to present my compliments to the gentlmen of the 
Artillery Corps, and believe me to be Avith sincere esteem, 

Your Friend and Serv't, 

JOS. YOUNG." 

" Albany, June 22d, 1779." 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 577 

" Dear Sir — I acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 25th 
inst., and am happy to hear that every thing has succeeded so 
well hitherto — hope your may glide on in the same current of 
good fortune, till the end of a glorious campaign, and return to 
Albany crown'd with unfading laurels. Another acct. of our suc- 
cess over the enemy at Charles Town is arrived, the particulars 
of which will be transmitted to the Gen. by Capt. Lush. 

" A Pennsylvania paper is in town, containing a speech of one 
Gordon, in the house of Commons, equal in freedom and smart- 
ness to Junius 's letters — could I procure it, I would inclose it. 
Our little fleet in many late instances has demurr'd to the claim of 
the haughty Britons, to the universal empire of the sea ; and have 
convinced some of them that their claim was not well founded, 
by a most powerful train of well directed arguments, leaving them 
high and dry at anchor in the state house at Philadelphia.: One 
of the British litigants never put in a plea, but suffered judgment 
to pass against him by default. 

" D'Estaing's and the English fleets, are both out at sea of 
nearly equal numbers, and in sight of each other ; by which cir- 
cumstance it is conjectured there will be much chopping of logic, 
and many learned and forcible arguments made use of pro and 
contra, when the pleas are closed, 'tis said a jury of surgeons 
meet to decide upon the merits of the cause in question : when I 
receive their verdict I will transmit it to you — as it may have a tend- 
ency to elucidate some points, that are at present under the con- 
sideration of the literati, both at St. James' and Philadelphia. 
Till which I am Your friend and servant, 

JO. YOUNG." 

''Albany, June 27th, 1779." 

The following extracts are from a letter to Capt. Machin while 
at Otsego lake : 

" The southern news still remains without a confirmation from 
Congress." [The southern news alluded to by Young and Rut- 
gers, was no doubt the abortive attempt of the British army un- 
der Provost, to capture the city of Charleston, S. C, about the 
middle of May.] " Though there is not the least doubt of its be- 
ing true. The enemy are yet at King's Ferry. A few days since 
it was thought they were coming up ; as some heavy cannons are 
arrived from the eastward, I think we shall be in tolerable good 
order to receive them, if ever they get in earnest about it. 

" Gen. Washington is at New Windsor and quarters at Col- 
Ellison's. The park of artillery I hear is at Chester, and the in. 
fantry scattered in the defiles of the mountains near the garrison. 
The inhospitable mountains not suffering the army to remain in 
their usual compact order. 

Your most obedient, &c., 

HENRY RUTGERS, Jun." 

While under Sullivan, Capt. Machin executed a handsome map 



578 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

of Cayuga and Seneca lakes, with the distances on the way out 
at intervals of one mile each, from Tioga Point to the end of the 
route, which terminated nearly sixty miles west of the outlet of 
Seneca lake ; and back to the starting place.* 

While Sullivan's army was in the Indian country an incident 
occurred to which I have before alluded, some additional particu- 
lars of which may prove interesting. An advance party which 
was opening a road for the army and protected by a strong cover- 
ing party, were attacked by Kayingwaurto, a Seneca chief, with 
eighty-two warriors. The guard instantly ran to rescue the ad- 
vance, and a skirmish ensued in which that chief and two of his 
followers were slain. The enemy, from the noise and impetuo- 
sity of the attack, supposing the whole army was upon them^ 
fled precipitately, leaving their packs, blankets, kettles, &c. Upon 
the person of this Seneca chief was found a pocket book which 
contained two papers of interest. One was a certificate of which 
the following is very nearly a copy. 

" This may certify that Kayingwaurto, the Sanake Chief, has 

been on an expedition to Fort Stanwix and has taken two scalps,! 

one from an officer and a corporal that were a gunning near the 

fort, for which I promise to pay at sight, ten dollars for each scalp. 

" Given under my hand at Buck's Island. 

" JOHN "BUTLER, Col. and Swpt. 

" of the Six Nations and the 

" Allies of his Majesty.''^ 

* The route pursued as marked upon this map crosses Spring creek near 
the Tioga, into which it empties, twenty-one miles from its mouth, and pass- 
ing up the west side of that stream a few miles, struck the head waters of 
Seneca creek. The route continued some five or six miles along the west 
side of the creek, then crossing, was continued upon its eastern side with 
one exception at an angle, to " French Catharine's Town," situated in a bend 
of the creek three or four miles from its mouth. From Catharine's Town 
the route led along the east side of Seneca lake crossing at a little distance 
from the lake, twenty-five small streams which ran into it along its eastern 
shore. Eleven miles from the outlet, probably in the present town of Ovid, 
they destroyed an Indian village situated on the north side of a small creek, 
and called on Machin's map "Candia." Crossing the outlet of Seneca lake, 
the army proceeded westward, and a few miles from the lake destroyed 
" Kanadesago," the largest of the Seneca towns. 

t Those scalps were obtained by this Indian in the following manner. In 
the summer of 1777, Capt. Greg left Fort Stanwix, or as then called Fort 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 5/y 

It having been asserted in Congress, after the war," that there 
was no evidence of the fact that the British government author- 
ized the payment of money for scalps, the certificate of Col. But- 
ler to Kayingwaurto, known by one of the New York members 
to be in Machin's possession, was sent for, and was accordingly 
forwarded to the seat of government : the evidence it contained 
was satisfactory that Britain did buy American scalps, and thus 
the controversy ended. 

The other paper found in the pocket book of the Seneca Chief, 
filed " Convention of Whyoming," is an original manuscript un- 
der the hand and seal of John Butler and Kayingwaurto, the seal 
of the latter being the figured emblem of a turtle. 

" Westmoreland, 5tli July, 1778. 
" This doth hereby certify that Lieutenant Elisha Scovell has 
surrendered his garrison with all his people to government, and to 
remain as neutral during this present contest with Great Bri- 
tain and America; in consideration of which, Col. John Butler, 
Superintendent of the Six Nations of Indians, their allies, &c., 

Schuyler, one afternoon with a corporal also of that garrison, to shoot pi- 
geons. Toward night the fowlers, when about to return to the fort, were 
fired upon bj' concealed foes. Greg, after receiving some blows on the head 
with a tomahawk, was scalped, an Indian drawing off the bloody trophy with 
his teeth. Securing also the scalp of the corporal who had been killed out- 
right, the Indians withdrew. Partially recovering, Capt. Greg thought if he 
could pillow his aching head upon the body of his fallen comrade, it would 
be a source of relief and ease a dying hour; and after several attempts he 
succeeded in gaining that position: but to his great annoyance a little dog 
kept up a continual yelping and whining. The bleeding captain was too sick 
at heart to bear patiently the evidence of his dog's sorrow, and addressed him 
as though a rational being. Said he, " If you wish so much to help me, go 
and call some one to my relief!" To the surprise of the sufferer, at the close 
of the command the dog ran off to three men belonging to the garrison, who 
were fishing nearly a mile distant, and by his pitiful moans attracted their 
notice. They doubtless knew whose dog it was, and as his appearance was 
unusual, they agreed to follow him and have the mystery solved. After fol- 
lowing the dog for some distance, the sun being down and the forest danger- 
ous, they were about to return, perceiving which the little messenger increa- 
sed his cries, and seizing their clothes in his teeth endeavored to pull them 
toward the spot where his master lay. The fishermen now resolved to fol- 
low the dog at all hazards, and he soon led them to the scene of blood. The 
corporal was hastily buried, and the captain carried to the fort where his 
wounds were dressed with care — he was restored to health and narrated the 
above particulars to his friends. — Dr. JDwight. 



580 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 



with Kayingwaurto, the chief of the Sanake [Seneca] Nation and 
the other chief warriors of the Six Nations, do promise, that they 
shall live in the quiet possession of their places with their fami- 
lies, and shall be daily protected from insult as far as lies in 
their power, and provided that they should be taken it is our de- 
sire that they may forthwith be released. 

" [L. s.] JOHN BUTLER. 

" [Device of Turtle.] KAYINGWAURTO." 

The map made by Capt. Machin also shows that on the return 

of Sullivan's army from the Genesee country, it proceeded along 

the north side of the outlet of Seneca Lake, destroying about 

equi-dlstant from Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, an Indian village 

called Scawyace. Crossing the outlet of Cayuga the route was 

continued up the eastern side of the lake. "East Cayuga or Old 

Town ; Cayuga Castle ; Upper Cayuga ; and Chonodote," are 

places noted on the map on this part of the route. Fourteen small 

streams are located as having been crossed along the eastern 

shore of the lake, all running into it before reaching its principal 

tributary. Passing a few miles up the latter stream the army 

crossed it, and continuing a south-westerly course came into the 

road by which it had gone out, about five miles above the mouth 

of Spring Creek. The following table of distances, made at the 

time, is preserved with the map. 

" Distance of Places from Eastown to Chennessee, [Geneseee] 
Castle, taken in 1779, hy actiial survey. 



.■..mj.m»ji'jiiii.i»-imi»m» 



Names of Places. 



From Eastown to Weoming, 

To Lachawaneck Creek, 

" Quailuternunk, 

" Tunkhannunk Creek, 

" Meshohing Creek, 

" Vanderlip's Plantation, 

" Wealusking Town, 

" Wessawkin or Pine Creek, 

" Tioga, 

" Chemung, 

" Newtown, 

" French Catharine's Town, 

" Candia or Apple Town, 

" The outlet of the Seneca Lake, . . 

" Kanadesago or the Seneca Castle, 

" Kanandaque, 

" Haun)'auya, 

" Adjusta, 

" Cossaawauloughby, 

" Chenesee Castle, 



Miles. 


Total. 


65 


65 


10 


75 


7 


82 


11 


93 


9 


102 


5 


107 


8 


115 


14i 


\2H 


15A 


145 


12 


157 


8i 


165 J 


IS 


183-i 


2n 


211 


IH 


222^ 


3^ 


226 


15| 


241 i 


131 


255 


12^ 


267i 


7 


274i 


5^ 


280 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 581 

" Distance from Kanadesago round the Cayuga Lake to JsTew- 
town — Fort Reed. 



Names of Places. 



From Kanadesago to Scawyace, 

To across the outlet of the Cayuga, 

" The Cayuga Castle, 

" Chonodote, a town remarkable for a number of peach trees, 

" Tiie upper end of Cayuga Lake,. 

" [A town on the map but not named,] 

And from thence to Newtown, otherwise Fort Reed 



Miles. 


Total. 


8J 


8^ 


K 


17 


10 


27 


3i 


301 


23 


53i 


5 


58i 


27i 


86 



The following letter from Gen. Clinton again found Capt. Ma- 
chin at New Windsor. 

" Little Britain, Oct. Sis?, 1779. 

" Dr. Sir — I received your favor and am much obliged to you 
for the trouble you have taken : the key of my case is in the ma- 
jor's chest, I believe, so that you have done all for me I expected 
or could w^ish you to do. 

" I left East Town last Wednesday at the time the army set off 
for Warw^ick, and had Gen. Sullivan's permission to go on before 
the brigade to visit my family : v^dien I got to Sussex Court House 
there arrived an express from head quarters for our army to march 
from East Town to Pumptown, but as our army w^as then at Log 
Gaol, vi^ithin ten miles of Sussex Court House, I don't know what 
route they have taken, but it was thought they would march from 
thence to Hacket's Town and so to Pumptown. 

" As I consider myself on furlough I can't pretend to order you 
for the above reason, but would advise you to send the baggage 
agreeable to Lt. Hervey's orders. I expect to go to head quarters 
on Tuesday next, where I expect to receive orders what to do with 
the troops of the brigade, &c. at New Windsor. In the mean time 
let the commanding officer know that its my orders that he hold 
them in readiness to march on the shortest notice. 

' I am sir, yours, &c., 

"JAMES CLINTON." 

" P. S. I expect to be at N. Windsor on Tuesday as I go to head quarters, 
when perhaps I will see you." 

The following extract of a letter from Lieut. Woodward to 
Capt. Machin, dated "Newburgh, Nov. 20, 1779," shows Cupid 
recruiting for his service in the American army. 

" We have had the most surprising accident happen that ever 
you could hear of, which is, that a sergeant of our company has 
run away with a young lady of this place by the name of Fauster, 
who is the first fortune in town, and she is the only heiress." 



582 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

I have before adverted to the suffering of the American army 
in the winter of 1779 and 80 ; the following letters from Henry 
Rutgers, Esq., and Dr. Young, allude to the same subject : 

" New Windsor, Jan. 18, 1780. 

" My Dear Sir — I was this moment favored with your letter of 
the 14th inst., and with pleasure read its contents, as your troubles 
were beginning to cease by the necessaries of life coming in again. 
By this time, I make no doubt, you have experienced every vicis- 
situde of fortune in almost every stage of your life — hunger, cold 
and every inconveniency attending a soldier, you are no stranger 
to. It is needless for me to moralize or philosophize on the sub- 
ject, to encourage 5^our perseverence, as such arguments are famil- 
iar to you. One thing I would only beg leave to mention, Avhich 
is, that this spring, in my opinion, the war will either cease or be 
transferred to some other part of the world ; as I conceive it im- 
possible for Britain to continue it at so great an odds. In either 
case I shall be content, as my country will then be enabled to re- 
cruit from the depredations committed upon her by the cruelty and 
tyranny of Britain. 

I was just now entertained with an, agreeable view : 2 or 300 
cattle passing to Windsor, on the ice, for head quarters. If enter- 
taining to me, what will you feel upon their arrival ! I flatter my- 
self that I anticipate the pleasure. Want of time and paper pre- 
vent my saying more, than that I wish you every succession of 
happiness with the blessings of the year. Mr. and Mrs. Bedlow, 
with Miss Caty and Polly, join me in their professions for the 
same, and believe me, dear Sir, that I remain 

Your friend and very humble servant, 

"HENRY RUTGERS. 

" To Capt. Machin, at Morris Town:' 

" Dear Sir — I received your kind epistle of the 14th Instant, and 
most feelingly sympathize with the 7ioble boys who have suffered 
such ucommon hardships without complaining. If this is not patri- 
otism, I will thank the British Despot that will inform me what it 
is. However, I rejoice that you have obtained a supply of provi- 
sions, and hope you will not experience such another trial. 

'• We have nothing new in this quarter worth your notice ; but 
hope, if Lord Sterling succeeds in his enterprise against Staten 
Island, you will embrace the first opportunity to inform me of the 
particulars, together with Avhat other news you may hear from any 
other quarter.* I hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you in 

* The enterprise to Staten Island proved a failure ; the American troops not 
ariving in sight of the British garrison they were sent to surprise until after 
day-light. Nearly a sleigh load of black soldiers, sent on the expedition, 
were frozen to death. Col. Angel's regiment of blacks, although said to 
have been as brave, could not endure the cold as well as while soldiers. — 
James Williamson. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 583 

Albany, when I will show you with what dexterity and pleasure I 
ride my Electrical Hobby Horse. Till then I am 

Your sincere friend and humble servant, 

" JO. YOUNG. 

'•' P. S. My kindest compl'ts to all my friends in camp. 
''Albany, JanWy, 24, 1780." 

The following letter, from Lieut. Patterson to Capt. Machin, is 
inserted because of its historic interest : 

" Fort Pitt, July 2d, 1780. 

" Dear Sir — Nothing can contribute more to my happiness, in 
this distant and remote part of the world, than a correspondence 
with a gentleman of your natural and acquired abilities, upon the 
genuine principles of true and disinterested friendship, and nothing 
prevented me from writing sooner but a diffidence of my own abi- 
lities. 

" As the bearer is waiting I have only time to inform you of our 
safe arrival at this post the twenty-fourth ult., very much fatigued, 
after a long and tedious march, of near five weeks, from Carlisle. 
I begin to find we shall not be so fond of the place as we imagined 
before we arrived, for there is nothing but repeated scenes and 
ideas, and such a sameness in every day's transactions, that will 
make time glide on a very slow pace. 

" The Fort is very pleasantly situated in the forks at the con- 
flux of the Mahangahela and Alleghana Rivers. It is very strong, 
but the walls and barracks are much decayed, and the best build- 
ings were destroyed by the English when they evacuated the gar- 
rison. The town, which consists of about fifty log-houses and 
cabins, is situated on the bank of the Mahangahela, about two or 
three hundred yards from the Fort. There is [are] about fifty 
Dalaware Indians and a number of Squaws at this place, which 
[who] brought in a quantity of skins and furs, but it is hard for the 
officers to get enough to supply their wants, there is such a num- 
ber of old traders that can talk Indian, and they are much fonder 
to exchange them for shirts, blankets, &c., than any other way. 
I am informed there are continually a number of them loitering 
about town to draw provision. 

" I shall inform you more particularly of the place the next op- 
portunity, by which time I will be better acquainted, and therefore 
in my power to do it with more exactness. Please to write every 
opportunity and inform me of your transactions at Head Quarters, 
for we have scarcely ever any news here that can be depended on. 
I am, with the greatest — 

" Your most obedient and very humble servant, 

" EZRA PATTERSON." 

" Present my best compliments to Mr. Woodard and the Gent, of my ac- 
quaintance." 

The following copy of a letter of instruction to the committee 



584 fflSTOEY OF SCHOHARtE COUNTY, 

of conference with the Legislature of New York, shows the po- 
verty of the army in a pecuniary view : 

" Camp Steenrapin, Sept. 6th, 1780. 
'* GentWn. — We have chosen you our Committee to wait upon 
the Legislature of the State of New York, for the important pur- 
poses of representing to tliat hody the unhappy and distressing 
situation of the troops under our command, and their immediate 
care and direction, and of enforcing a speedy execution of the re- 
solves of Congress relative to the supplies necessary for the com- 
fortable subsistence of the army ; and as well to ascertain and 
liquidate the loss sustained by the army by the depreciation of the 
currency, as to obtain proper security for the payment thereof. 
These, Gentle'n., are the essential objects to which we would call 
your attention. The real depreciation upon the monies received 
and expended by the Army you are well acquainted with, and the 
most eligible mode to ascertain it, we conceive, will be by taking a 
comparative view of the prices of articles most needed in camp, be- 
ginning at the first establishment of our present pay, and thence 
computing at different periods the advance upon such articles. 
You will please to have in view, that the pay of the troops has 
been very irregular, and that they have seldom been with less 
than three months' pay in arrears, and often with more ; especially 
in the present year, the pay for which from the 1st of January is 
still due, the depreciation on which can be computed at nothing 
less than the real value of the money on the first of August. 
With respect to the payment of such depreciated money as may 
be due us, we think that cash, or nothing less than a real security 
or Transfer of lands, will by any means answer the good inten- 
tions of the state, or relieve us. Certificates, or notes for payment, 
we find by long experinece, like other paper credit, is subject to the 
ebbs and flows of the times : we have had melancholly instances 
of this in the Eastern States, where the notes given to the troops 
have been sold at the most enormous discount, and the distresses 
of their army, which the Legislatures had in view to relieve, have 
by no means been removed. Good landed interest is secure from 
these failures, and is the security we wish to receive ; it is such, if 
conveyed to us firmly and lone-fide, will always form a capital up- 
on which we can draw without any discount. When we say land- 
ed interest, we mean. Gentlemen, improved estates, such as have 
a real and immediate value, of which the state to which we be- 
long have an abundance, by the attainder of many of its inhabi- 
tants who have withdrawn themselves from its allegiance. In set- 
tling the value of these lands, it Avill be necessary for you to pay 
particular attention to the mode to be adopted. Wc would recom- 
mend that three different men may be appointed under oath for 
that purpose, and that we may have a voice in nominating as well 
the persons to value, as the lands to be apprized. As Congress 
ha?, bv a resolvp of the 24th of August last, recommended to the 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 585 

different states to make provision for the widows and orphans of 
Officers who have died or may die in the service, we request your 
attention thereto, and that the provision therein recommended, or 
some other, may he extended to the widows and orphans of the 
Non-Commissioned Officers and soldiers in the like circumstances. 
" We beg gentlemen that you will proceed as soon as possible 
upon the important business to which you are delegated, and we 
have the utmost confidence in your zeal and abilities to serve us, 
we would wish you to consider these instructions more or less ab- 
solute as you shall find circumstances require, and to do whatever 
else may be necessary for our interest, tho' not particularly men- 
tioned herein. We wish you, gentlemen, a pleasant journey and 
happy success in your endeavors to serve us. 

We are, gentlemen, 
" To Lieut. Col. Willet, Yours &c." 

Major Fish, 

Capt. Machin." 

I regret that I am not able to give the names of the officers 
under whom the committee, on the part of the army acted. The 
following letter from Lieut. Bradford directed to Capt. Machin 
at the assembly, Poughkeepsie, or Esopus, affords but another 
evidence of the sorry condition of the army in the fall of 1780, 
and the importance of the committee's visit to the legislature. 

" Head Quarters, llth Sepemher, 1780. 
" Dear Sir — This being the first conveyance since you left us, 
you will permit me to enquire after your welfare, and to inform 
you of that of your friends and acquaintances in this quarter: 
Capt. Mott and Lieut. Ashton excepted, the former is very ill, and 
the latter much indisposed— since your departure we remain in 
the same position, no alterations in the army in general, and but 
few in our regiment. One circumstance which probably will not 
be unexpected, [is,] that of the desertion of Mr. Gable ; he left 
Capt. Moodie on the 14th inst., since which we have heard noth- 
ing from him. The night before he went off, Lieut. Brewster 
lost every article out of his tent, the shirt on his back excepted, 
and at the smallest computation his loss must amout to £4000. 
Mr. Brewster's situation is truly chagrining; and from some cir- 
cumstances appearing against Mr. Gable, that of his leaving his 
blanket and knapsack, and stealing two empty ones before he 
went off, gives every suspicion of his being the thief. In conse- 
quence of those circumstances appearing against the deserter, Mr. 
Brewster with two mattrosses set out to Bloominggrove in expec- 
tation of coming up with the scoundrel. Corporal McBride and 
.James Whitmore set out for Morris Town, in some hopes of meet- 
ing with him there. I sincerely wish Mr. Brewster every success, 
X\0 I much despair of his meeting with the fellow. 



586 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" The situation of our army since you left us has been truly 
distressing. Six days out of fifteen have the principal part of our 
army been without provisions, tho' it has not been the case with 
us ; but we have had some small share in the disappointment : 
these circumstances are much against us, tho' it would not be 
thought so much of, was it not for a d — d rascally resolve of Con- 
gress ; who say that if any officer or soldier does not draw the ra- 
tions on the day they are due, they shall not receive them after- 
wards ; from those circumstances we may naturally suppose, if we 
judge from the present, we shall be starved one-third of the time. 
From this, and almost every other proceeding of that August 
Body, they seem as tho' they had positively determined to injure 
the most Virtuous Body in the United States ; (that of the army,) 
permit me, Dear Sir, to say things with us appear very gloomy. 
It is confidently asserted that the state of Connecticut has refused 
to supply the army with any more beef, in consequence of which 
one of the general's aids, Capt. Humphery set off" with letters to 
Governor Trumbull to know (as we suppose) the reasons. 

" Of the accounts from the southward, the newspapers will give 
you more particular information than I can. We have it confi- 
dently reported, and indeed generally believed, that Admiral 
Rodney, with thirteen sail of the line are arrived at New York 
from the West Indies, and the French fleet, consisting of eighteen 
sail of the line, are arrived at Rhode Island; should this be the 
case, we are in hopes the French will be able to give a good ac- 
count of Mr. Graves. 

" Mr. Burnside requests me to inform you that, as he was not 
on the New Windsor side, and being disappointed in not succeed- 
ing agreeable to his wishes, he entirely forgot to leave your let- 
ter for Mr. Rutgers ; a neglect for which he is very sorry. Dean 
has returned to us from Capt. Moodie, being very much indispos- 
ed. By the same post as this is sent, I have forwarded you a 
letter from Capt. Wool. Thus have I agreeable to my promise, 
given you a short and as minute a detail of circumstances as my 
abilities will admit, and hope they may prove agreeable. I am 
joined with Mr. Burnside and the remainder of the officers, with 
best wishes for your happiness. Believe me with every sentiment 
of respect and esteem, 

Your obedient humble servant, 

JAMES BRADFORD." 

" P. S. A line by the first conveyance and what you are like 
to succeed in, would be agreeable — pray inform me if you have 
ever seen my father. Excuse this scrawl, &c., &c. 

Capt. Machin appears to have been engaged at New Windsor 
much of the year 1781, in the recruiting service. Having the 
principal direction of that business, and to have disbursed much 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 587 

money.* The following paper from Capt. Hubbell shows in truth 
the situation as regards funds, of very many of the officers of the 
American army in the latter part of the war. 

" Dear Sir — I am under the necessity of sending a man off 
into Connecticut to-morrow morning-, and have not a shilling of 
money for the poor fellow to bear his expenses — should therefore 
be exceedingly obliged to you for some money. As his going is 
a matter of moment to a number of the gentlemen of the regi- 
ment, beg you would oblige me in this request — 12th March, 
1781. 

I am, respectfully yours, 
" Capt. Thomas Machin. J. HUBBELL." 

Difficulties in the recruiting service were unavoidable, as the 
following paper directed to " Capt. Machin, Artillery Park, New 
Windsor," will show. 

" Pokeepsie, April 20tk, 1781. 
" Dear Sir — Mr. George Thompson informs me that one of 
your recruiting parties pretended to have enlisted his son, and 
that he apprehends difficulties will arise on the subject. If Mr. 
Thompson's information is right, it would appear that the business 
was unduly managed ; however, as the old gentlemen is of re- 
spectable character, I would not wish you to carry the matter to 
any extremity ; but to submit it to the determination of the civil 
magistrate. He is ready to appear before any in the neighbor- 
hood. 

I am yours sincerely, 
" Capt. Machin. GEO. CLINTON." 

In the fall of 1781, Capt. Machin accompanied the park of 
Gen. Washington's army, and, as engineer, aided in laying out 
the American works at the memorable siege of Yorktown. His 
skill in gunnery, Vv'hich caused Gen. Sullivan to exclaim of the 
cannonading at Newtown, near Elmira, that it was elegant, was 
again manifested in the early part of this seige, by sending a shell, 
agreeable to the orders of Gen. Knox, into the magazine of a 
small British vessel lying in the river, and blowing it to atoms. 
Gen. Knox is said to have remarked, with evident satisfaction, as 
the shell performed its mission, and the men were blown into the 

* In furnishing recruiting officers with orders, it was particularly specified 
that they should enlist no slave, tory, or i7idividual who had been in the ser- 
vice of the enemy. 

38 



588 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

air — "See the d — d rascals go up." — Thomas, son of Cap f. Ma- 
chin. 

The following paper from His Excellency, affords additional 
evidence of his friendship and confidence : 

" Pokeepsie, 12tk Januar^j, 1782. 
" Dear Sir : — I Avas favored with your letter of the 16th ultimo, 
a few days ago. I am happy in the good opinion entertained of 
Mr. Tappan, and particularly obliged to your friendly ofiers res- 
pecting him, which shall be communicated to his father. The 
Avarrants for the several gentlemen lately appointed to your regi- 
ment will be forwarded by the present conveyance to the Colonel, 
as also certificates of their appointment to the War office. 

" I have nothing worth communicating. Mrs. Clinton begs you 
to accept the compliments of the season ; and believe me, 
" Dear Sir, with great regard, 

" Your most obed't serv't, 
" Capt. Thovias Machin. " GEO. CLINTON." ' 

The following paper from Maj. Popham, without date, gives 
further evidence of the straitened circumstances of the American 
officers, or rather of one of them : 

"Dear Machin : — The situation of my finances at present obliges 
me to apply to you as a dernier resort. It must be hard times when 
a soldier is obliged to sell or pawn his arms. If you could dispose 
of my sword at Head Quarters, it would be infinitely agreeable to 
me ; and if it was in your power to spare me a few dollars for pre- 
sent use, until your return, you would add much to the happiness 
of your friend. Nothing but extreme necessity could induce me 
to write what I could not speak last night -when I saw you. 

"Adieu. 
" Capt, Machin. W. POPHAM." 

'*' Paid £3 4s specie. 
" " 3 4 new emission. 
" May 14— 3 4 specie." 

By the memorandum on the paper, we may suppose the major's 
sword was sold for ^24. Poor fellow: I hope he was not compel- 
ed, after parting with his trusty blade, to follow the fortunes of 
war with a wooden one. 

The following extracts are copied from a letter from Lieut. 
Morris to Capt. Machin, dated Burlington March 24th, 1732. 

"You expressed an anxiety to be acquainted with our movements 
after we reached Lancaster : to comply with your desire I am un- 
der a friendly injunction to give a relation of the expedition. We 
were ordered to that post to guard prisoners from thence to Phila- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 589 

delphia, but before we reached the place of our destination, we 
found ourselves fatigued to a great degree, from the deepness 
qf the roads, and the summit of every hill we passed pre- 
sented to our view the same sad comfort that we had just passed. 
However, a generous supply from the financier, and my own re- 
sources, rendered every obstacle a mere trifle, and soon erased from 
my memory that gloomy prospect I had pictured in my imagina- 
tion. 

" Suppose we change the subject and give you a little of the 
news. The French have at length succeeded on Brimstone Hill, 
in the island of St. Christophers, and are in quiet possession of 
that place. The British made an attempt to succor the garrison 
by landing 1000 men at Basseterre, but were repulsed with 400 of 
them killed. 

" We are furnished with the debates of the House of Commons 
by a late arrival from France : the minority are thundering away 
against the prosecution of the American war, and the other party 
are strenuously opposing them. I am clearly of the opinion they 
will continue it a campaign or two longer. The Dutch, to my great 
astonishment, seem disposed to make a peace with England through 
the mediation of Russia. This circumstance, added to a little suc- 
cess the British have had in the East Indies, convinces me they 
mean to spend a few millions more. I must conclude ; and believe 
me to be, 

"Your friend and humble servant, 

"W. MORRIS." 

" P. S. Remember me to my uncle Richard if you should see him." 

The period at length arrived when Capt. Machin's great skill 
in engineering could not construct a breast-work to guard him 
against an arrow from Cupid's bow. In other words, when he 
was to love one of the softer sex, and feel confident that a virtu- 
ous young woman reciprocated the sentiment. The following ex- 
tracts of a letter from Maj. Doughty hint the existence of the 
skillful captain's tender passion. 

''Burlington, March 27?A, 1782. 

"■^ My Dear Sir — How goes on recruiting? Do you meet with 
encouragement ? Is there any prospect of money from the State ? 
These are questions I wish you would answer for me, for I feel 
interested in them all. 

" You promised to write me on the subject of my defreciated 
notes, and the prospect of improving them to advantage by joining 
you in the purchase of the lands formerly Gen'l Clinton's : you 
have forgot your promise — perhaps your being in love, and the 
pear object that inspires that interesting passion so totally en- 
grosses your attention, as to leave no room for your friend Doughty. 



590 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

I know he must give way both to the passion and its object, but 
still he must claim a share though a small one, of your friendship 
and attention ; and believe me that he esteems them both not a 
little. Adieu — make my respects to Col. Bedlow and family, 
Maj. and Mrs. Logan, and believe me to be with the greatest truth, 
" Your friend and servant, 

" JNO. DOUGHTY." 

The following paper relating to the service in which he was 
then engaged, was received by Capt. Machin per Col. Cobb. 

" Head Quarters, 2itk May, 1782. 
" Genfn — You will proceed to Fish Kill and there apply to 
Colonel Weissenfels' for the proportion of the levies destined for 
your line, one half of which are for the regiment of artillery and 
the other half for the regiment of infantry. 

" So soon as you have received your proportion of Col. Weissen- 
fels' regiment, you will send them on to the regiments for which 
they are destined, under the care of an officer, and the remaining 
officers will wait at Fish Kill to receive those which will be sent 
from Col. Willet's regiment, which are to be divided in the same 
manner. Before you send away the recruits you will make a re- 
turn to me of the number you have received. 

" I am, &;c. 
" Signed GO. WASHINGTON." 
" To Capt. Machin, ) 

" Ll. Forma?!, > York Line.''^ 

" Ens'n Sicartwout, ) 

The following extracts are made from a letter from Lieut, R. 
Parker to Capt Machin, dated George Town, July 6th, 1782. 

" Capt. McClure and myself are stationed at this place. Its 
situation I suppose you are acquainted with : its trade is much 
increased within a short time past, a number of valuable prizes 
have been sent here. Rum, and most kinds of West India goods 
are plenty. The southern army and the country in general re- 
ceive great advantages from it. I believe they could scarcely be 
supported without it. 

" Here are a number of fine girls and rich widows. I have not 
yet got far in love — but can't promise for the future — some fair 
nymph ma}'^ captivate my heart — and while guardian reason sleeps, 
Cupid's fatal shaft may wound my rising heart and make me own 
his superior power, &c., &c. 

" We have no news : Gen. Greene lays near Goose Creek, 
twenty miles from Charleston. An evacuation of Charleston and 
Savannah is daily expected by our sanguine friends. 

" I have hardly got over celebrating the fourth of July in a 
Bacchanal frolic — Impute my inaccuracies to a pain in th© 
head, &c." 



AND BORDEE WAKS OF NEW YORK. 591 

A letter from Capt. Machin to Oliver Wendell, Esq., of Boston, 
of which the following is a copy, discloses the fact fully at 
which Maj. Doughty hinted, and adds another evidence to the 
truism, that the course of true love is beset with thorns, thistles, 
and a multitude of briers. 

" New Windsor, lOtk Aug't, 1782. 

'■''Honored Sir — An experimental knowledg-e of your philan- 
thropy has emboldened me to address you on this occasion. 
Knovi^ then, my Dear Sir, that I am at this time engaged to a 
young lady in the State of New York : the day for our union 
was set, and we both, I am led to believe, waited with equal 
anxiety for the arrival of that happy period; in which I think two 
feeling souls would have been happily united in the honorable 
bonds of Hjanen. But to my great mortification, somebody was 
pleased to inform the young lady's friends that I had a wife in 
Boston. And as I always did, and I hope ever will, detest decep- 
tion^ be it of what kind soever it will : and much more that which 
is of all the most villanous ,' I therefore, relying on our former 
friendship and your justice, make no doubt but you will give 
the bearer, Mr. Dunning, the young lady's and my friend, what- 
ever information he may require relating to my conduct when 
in Boston, Please to give my compliments to Mrs. Wendell, and 
believe me Dear Sir, to be, with all the esteem that is due to ho- 
nor and merit, 

" Your hum'l. serv't, 

" THO'S MACHIN," 

" The Honorable Oliver Wendell, Esq.^'' 

The aspersions of some villain on the fair fame of Capt. Machin 
were satisfactorily removed by Mr. Dunning's visit to Boston, and 
his marriage took place in August, 1782. He was married to 
Miss Susan, daughter of James Van Nostrand ; who resided at or 
near Huntington, L. I. The marriage took place at the house of 
Timothy Dunning in Goshen, who had previously married a sister 
of Miss Susan. 

The followmg'letter from Lieut. Woodward, shows to some ex- 
tent the popularity and influence of Capt. Machin in the army. 

" West Point, 2Qth Oct. 1782. 
" Dear Sir — While I was gone to Poughkeepsie the day before 
yesterday, Lt. Tappen was so imprudent as to give permission for 
William Ockerman to leave the Point to go to New- Windsor, and 
return the same evening; but in order to keep alive the dignity 
of his former conduct he has broke into Goshen goal. — That is, I 
am informed he is taken by the constable for a tavern debt. Col. 



592 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Stevens desires you will take upon you the trouble of procuring his 
enargement and send him to Camp. His inducement for request- 
ing you to undertake the task, is because that you by some means 
or other can accomplish it, while another officer would not be able 
to succeed. You must give my best compliments to Mrs. Machin, 
&c. &c. 

" I am, dear sir, with every sentiment of respect, 
" Your ob't humble serv't, 
" Capt. Machin." " PETER WOODWARD." 

At this period general officers were deficient in funds. 

" Little Britain, Nov. 9th, 1782. 

" Dear Sir — I received your favor by Serj't Reino, and should 
have sent you the balance of Maj. Bush's account as you have 
made it out if I had the cash, which article I never was scarcer of 
than at present ; at the same time must inform you that you have 
not given me all the credit in your account that I ought to have, 
but that is a matter we can easily settle when opportunity serves. 
I wish it was in my power to pay you the whole or half due on the 
account of your location; as soon as it is I will do it : if I can't 
soon I will give you a note or bond with interest. 
" I am, sir, yours, &c. 

" Capt. Machin." " JAMES CLINTON." 

Considerable correspondence passed between Joseph Wharton, 
Esq. of Philadelphia, and Capt. Machin in the year 1782 : it 
began in the latter part of the preceding year, as the following 
1 etter will show. 

" Philadelphia, Dec. 2ifh, 1781. 
" Mr. Thomas Machin. Sir — You have been so obliging as to 
offer me your services in the State of New-York, I commit to your 
care two deeds from Col. George Croghan to me ; the first dated 
April 3d, 17S0, for ttoenty-five thousand four hundred and seventy- 
seven acres of land with a release for the same ; and the other for 
eleveii hundred and fifty-seveii acres, dated June 27th, 1780, with 
its release ; and both tracts situated on and near Lake Otsego in 
Tryon county in that State. These lands becoming more and more 
valuable, it's necessary the deeds should be recorded in the proper 
office. And as I have some reason to apprehend an assignment of 
the Mortgage on these lands to the late Governor Franklin, is 
attempting to be obtained, when probably some hasty step may be 
pursued to recover payment by public sale, injurious to my prop- 
erty; I earnestly press it upon your friendship to have the deeds 
recorded in Albany, or wherever the most suitable office is, in the 
most expeditious manner ; and for your assiduity herein as well 
as the necessary charges, I will gratefully pay due honor to your 
draft. The repossession of the deeds will give me great satisfac- 
tion ; yet I would not have them sent, unless a gentleman of char- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 593 

acter and whom you know can be found to be entrusted with them. 
In the mean time, I beg- you will inform me by post the moment 
the deeds are enrolled, as well as any farther information you may 
receive of the value of these lands in consequence of any rise since 
your departure from their vicinity: for surely the late glorious 
victory to the Southward, and our proximity to absolute indepen- 
dence must have started the value of such excellent tracts. 

" I have shown you Mr. Hooper's Field Book, containing as 
well his description of the exterior lines of my 15074 acre tract on 
the Tennedena, as the qualities of the land of each 1000 acres: 
the whole being surveyed into fifteen lots ; and you have read that 
the soil and other natural advantages are very good and exceeding 
great. Will you, sir, be pleased to enquire the utmost price that 
can be obtained for the whole of this tract payable in two months, 
or rather one-half in six weeks and the other in three months with 
interest in specie or sterling bills on France? Because if this 15000 
acre Tract will command what I conceive it will, it will enable me 
to keep the Otsego Tract to a future day, and a far more benefi- 
cial price. I must also request you will have the offices searched 
to know what Mortgages and Judgments are on the Otsego Tract ; 
for although there may be a Judgment or two, yet whether the 
legal steps have been pursued to secure payment previous to the 
time you will have my Deeds enrolled is the question. Among 
other favors you are going to bestow on me, do let me know the 
Law of your State in regard to Mortgages, that is whether any 
time is limited for their recording ? Whether a second or third 
Mortgage being entered first does not supersede, or at least obtain 
first payment ? And if a Deed enrolled prior to a previous Mort- 
gage (as in my case) will not bar a recovery by the Mortgage ? 

" It may be necessary to explain the hint I have given relating 
to Governor Franklin's* Mortgage for £1800 your money, which 
is, that his creditors here and in Burlington are endeavoring to 
procure his Assignment of Testatum, (if I have the word right) 
and although it ever was my disposition that Justice should be 
done, yet prudence dictates a cautionary prevention to the sale of 
my estate to my disadvantage, which surely would be the circum- 
stance if it was to be sold at this period. For I suppose in cases 
of Sequestration your State, like ours, hath taken care that just 
creditors shall be satisfied as far as such estate will admit. 
" I am, with respect, 

" Your most obed't humble serv't, 

"JOS. WHARTON." 

* Lest all my readers may not be aware of the fact, I will here remark, 
that the Govei'nor Franklin above alluded to was a son of Doctor Franklin, 
and at the beginning of the war was Governor of New-Jersey — that not 
having the just counsels of his father, and possibly the fear of God before 
his eyes, he espoused the cause of the mother country which had honored 
hinx with the Executive authority of a Colony ; and was soon arrayed in 
sentiment against that great and good man his father ; whom the world de- 



594 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Under date of Sept. 11th, 1782, Mr. Wharton wrote Capt. 

Machin as follows. 

" My situation in life requiring me to raise a capital sum of 
money in the course of the Winter, has determined me to sell the 
Otsego Tract, containing about 27,000 acres; provided I can be 
paid one-third part on the sale, and the remainder in the Spring. 
My price will be tiveitty shillings this currency (specie) per acre. 
[He proposed to let 7,000 pounds of the purchase remain unpaid 
with security. He considered the land worth, he said, thirty shil- 
lings per acre. He added] — Should my limit be thought too high, 
let me know the highest sum obtainable for the whole Tract, pay- 
able in part down and the rest in six months with interest ; or if 
it would be more agreeable, I will take twenty thouiand pounds for 
it and the purchaser to be accountable for the incumbrances;" 
[which were some 2,000 pounds N. Y. currency on that and a 
Tract of 40,000 acres adjoining.] Col. Croghanwas buried about 
ten days since." 

The reader may here see what was once considered the value 
of the rich lands in and around Cooperstown, which money will 
now hardly buy. 

The campaign of Gen. Sullivan in 1779, discovering the valu- 
able lands in Western New York, was the means of their being 
brought into market. The following paper, from Capt. Nestell, 
shows where some of the lands in the earliest transfers were situ- 
ated, and the price they brought : 

" April 17, 1783. 

" Received of Ebenezer Burling the full sum of thirty pounds, 
which was his subscription for a Right of six hundred acres of 
land between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Received by me, 

" PETER NESTELL." 

On the 21st of January, 1783, Gov. Clinton sent the bounds of 

a certain lot of land to his friend, with the following request : 

" Capt. Machin will please to take a view of the above Tract 
and see that the settlements are properly made, and no land 
cleared that will injure the Tract in point of timber. That the 
persons who live on it clear annually a proportion of swamp, and 
^{axii oui fruit-trees, and make such agreement with them as shall 
be easy and reasonable; but they are to be Tenants at Will, as I 
may conclude to sell. Fix on the most convenient place for a 
homestead, and erecting a dwelling house, &c., supposing it to 
be divided into two farms. " GEO. CLINTON. 

" Pokeepsie, 2lst Jan., 1783." 
lighted to honor. A desire to retain plnce has forfeited for many individuals 
the good opinion of the virtuous, and the rich inheritance of parental good 
deeds. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 595 

On the 17th of April following, Capt. Machin wrote Gov. Chn- 
ton from Murderer^s creek, that he had made a beginning of the 
works at the Great Pond — was cutting timber, and expected to 
have a dwelling ready to move into within five weeks from that 
time, &c., &c.; to all of which doings Gov. Clinton wrote an ap- 
proving letter April 19th. 

Mr. Machin was commissioned a captain by Gov. Clinton, and 
the council of appointment March 12th, 1793, to take rank as 
8uch from August 21st, 1780. The appointment was confirmed 
by Congress on the 28th of the following April. 

On the approach of peace, in 1783, we find Capt. Machin lay- 
ing aside his warlike implements, and Cincinnatus like, following 
his plow. He settled at a place called New Grange, Ulster coun- 
ty, a few miles back of Newburgh, where in 1784, he erected se- 
veral mills, as a grist-mill, saw-mill, &c. 

The following order of the quarter-master-general, on Lieut. 
Denniston, is inserted to show the reader how particular that offi- 
cer was in closing his official business : 

'' New York, AprillO, 1784. 
"Sir: — Capt. Machin will deliver you six spades and shovels, 
which he received last summer from the store at Newburgh. You 
will deliver him one band for the nave of a wagon wheel, and two 
wagon boxes, to complete a wagon he bought of the public. 

" TIM: PICKERING, Q. M. G. 
"Mr. George Denniston, West Point. ^^ 

About the 1st of September, 1784, Gov. Clinton removed from 
Kingston to New York, as appears by several letters to Capt. 
Machin, directed to his address at " Great Pond, Ulster county ;" 
by which it appears the captain was to send down his winter's 
stock of fire-wood. 

The following credible voucher appears to close the correspon- 
dence between Capt. Machin and his former general : 

" This is to certify that I have been acquainted with Capt. Tho- 
mas Machin ever since the year 1776, and have had considerable 
dealings with him, and I always found his accounts to he just. 

" Given under my hand the 7th of March, 1786. 

"JAMES CLINTON." 



596 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

The correspondence between Machin and Gov. Clinton, closed 
with the following letter, (until the latter was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States,) which is inserted because it tells so 
credibly and justly for that plain-hearted and honest republican, 
who not only dealt honorably with the unprotected himself, but 
was gratified to find others do likewise. In fact, he gained the 
reputation among the soldiers of the Revolution, of being a very 
plain, honest, unostentatious patriot, — and as an evidence of the 
fact, was exceedingly popular wherever known. 

" Neiv York, I2tk November, 1786. 

"Dear Sir : — The bearer is a brother-in-law and executor to Mr. 
Briggs, deceased. He has been here some time settling the aflfairs 
of the deceased. Among the little property he has left for his chil- 
dren, the location under a military right in your hands is a princi 
pal part. Mr. McClagley is anxious to know how it stands, and 
Avhether you have done the needful to give a title to the executors 
for the use of the infants. For this purpose he means to call on 
you on his way home, and the regard I have for the widow and 
family has induced me to write you on the subject, not doubting, 
at the same time, that you will pay every attention to them and 
their business. 

" Yours, sincerely, 

''C apt. Machin. GEO. CLINTON." 

On the 18th of April, 1787, Capt. Machin formed a copartner- 
ship with Samuel Atlee, (a porter brewer,) James F. Atlee, Da- 
vid Brooks, James Grier, and James Giles, (an attorney at law,) 
all of the city of New York. The term specified for its continu- 
ance was seven years, with a capital of ^£300. The firm seems 
to have been formed for the avowed purpose of coining copper, 
provided Congress, or any of the state legislatures, enacted a law 
allowing individuals to coin money. As the object was to make 
money, a small capital was considered sufl[icient for the under- 
taking. On the 7th of June following, that firm formed a copart- 
nership with one then existing, which consisted of four partners — 
Reuben Harman, Esq., William Coley, of Bennington county, 
Vermont, Elias Jackson, of Litchfield county, Connecticut, and 
Daniel Van Voorhis, goldsmith, of the city of New York — for a 
term of eight years from the first of the following July, that being 
the limitation of an act of the legislature of Vermont to said Har- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 597 

man, for the coinage of copper. The first mentioned firm was to 
furnish a capital of ^500 for the concern ; ^6200 of which capi- 
tal, with jG400 more, New York currency, to be paid to the lat- 
ter firm two years after, was to be theirs as an equivalent for ad- 
mitting the New York firm into communion with them — the lat- 
ter being required to furnish no capital. The ten partners were 
to enjoy equally " the benefits, privileges, and advantages arising 
from the coinage of copper in the state of Vermont, to be coined 
in that state, and also in Connecticut, New York, and elsewhere, 
as the parties should think fit. On or before the first day of July, 
the first mentioned, or New York firm, were required, by the co- 
partnership, "to complete, at their own cost, the works then erect- 
ing at the mills of the said Thomas Machin, near the Great Pond, 
in the county of Ulster," while the other part of the firm agreed, 
in the same time, to complete works they were then erecting, at 
Rupert, in the county of Bennington, Vermont. Agreeably to 
the written contract, Giles was to have charge of the writing and 
book-keeping ; Harman and Coley were to manage the money 
changers at Rupert ; and Machin and J. F. Atlee were to " ma- 
nage, act, and perform that part of the trade which concerned the 
coinage of money and manufacturing hard ware," at Machin's 
mills ; Grier was to be " cashier of the money coined at Rupert ;" 
Van Voorhis, "cashier of the money coined at Machin's Mills ;" 
Grier and Jackson were to have the general management of the 
expenses, purchase of necessary articles, &c. ; while other joint 
business was to be performed by Brooks and Samuel Atlee. It 
was further stipulated that Giles should keep a " certain book of 
resolutions ;" that the firm should meet, either in person or by 
proxy in other members, agreeably to a written form of authority 
incorporated, on the 1st day of February, June, and October of 
each year, at Rhinebeck, New York, unless otherwise agreed upon. 
In case either of the partners obtained a grant from Congress or 
any of the states to coin money, the profits resulting from such 
act were to be shared by all the partners, — who also bound them- 
selves personally, " in the penal sum of one thousand pounds," 
for the punctual performance of the contract. 



598 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Whether the long firm of money makers ever coined coppers 
enough to fill the pockets of all the Green Mountain boys ; or 
whether they found the business profitable, is uncertain ; but from 
Mr. Machin's papers I am led to conclude they never effected 
much. At his mills perhaps a thousand pounds of copper was 
manufactured, as appears by the papers, in the year 17S9 ; pre- 
vious to which little seems to have been done. " What is every- 
body's business is nobody's ;" and the saying seems to have been 
verified in the doings of this copper firm : for in a letter from J. 
F. Atlee to Mr. Machin, dated Vergennes, October 14, 1790, he 
expresses a wish that the concern might arrive at a settlement on 
equitable terms, and compromise their matters without a tedious 
and expensive law suit. 

In Jan., 1797, Capt. Machin removed from New Grange to 
the town of Mohawk, Montgomery county, from which town were 
afterwards organized the towns of Charleston, Glen, and part of 
Root. The fall previous to his removal he had visited his lands, 
accompanied by two hired men, and erected a log tenement, 
cleared a fallow, planted fruit-trees, currant bushes and sallad, — 
made sap-troughs, &c., &c., as is shown by a journal he kept at the 
time. His lands were situated 10 miles north of Schoharie Court 
House, and 20 south of Johnstown village. 

Capt. Machin continued to practise surveying after his remo- 
val to Montgomery county, and several officers of the army were 
among those who profited by his skill, among whom were John 
Lamb, his former colonel, and Gen. Nicholas Fish. Among Mr, 
Machin's personal friends was George Tiffany, Esq., a native of 
Massachusetts, who settled in Schoharie about the time the county 
was organized.* Capt. Machin took no little pains to educate 
his children, a son and a daughter. 

At the close of the war, Capt. Machin became a member of 
the Cincinnati Society. He also belonged to the fraternity of 

• Mr. Tiflany was a fine classic scholar, and while in Schoharie county 
was distinguished for his legal ability. Previous to his locating in Schoharie 
he taught an Academic school in Albany, believed to have been the first of 
the kind established in that city. He removed from Schoharie to Ancaster, 
Upper Canada, where, at a good old age, he died Jan. 8, 1842. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 599 

Free Masons, and on the establishment of a lodge in Schoharie, 
he was appointed master to install its officers. Silas Gray was 
also appointed as senior and Johannes Dietz junior wardens of the 
same. The following is the evidence of Capt. Machin's appoint- 
ment : 

" To all Greeting — 

" Be it known that I, Ezra Ames, Grand High Priest of the G. 
R. A. Chapter of the State of New York, by virtue of power in 
me vested by the third Sec'n. and fourth article of the General 
Grand Constitution, Do hereby authorize and empower our worthy 
Brother, Thomas Machin, to install the officers of Ames Mark 
Lodge, in the town of Schoharie, County of Scho'e., agreeable to 
the Gen'l. Grand Constitution of the United States, and to make 
returns of his proceedings thereon, at the next session of the G. 
Ch. 

" EZRA AMES. 

*' Albany, ^th Feb. 5307." [Year of the world.] 

By the following letters from his old friend Gov. Clinton, who 
was then Vice President of the United States, it appears that 
Capt. Machin sought for a pension, and, afterwards, its increase : 

" Washington. Wh Aqril, 1808. 
" Bear Sir — Agreeabl}^ to the request contained in your letter, 
I have done what was necessary on my part to give success to 
your application to be put on the Pension List. It gives me plea- 
sure to render you this little service, being, with great regard, 

" Yours sincerely, 

"GEO. CLINTON. 
"Capt. Thomas Machin.'' 

" Washing/on, 6/h March, 1810. 
" Dear Sir — Yesterday I received your letter of the 22d of last 
month. You may rely on every assistance in my power to afford, 
to obtain an increase of your pension. But the preparatory steps 
to an application can be done most conveniently to you in the 
State, under a commission from Mr. Talmadge, the District 
Judge. I have requested Mr. K. K. Van Rensselaer to communi- 
cate to you the manner in which this commission is to be obtained, 
as well as the necessary subsequent measures to be taken previous 
to your application; to accomplish which, if expeditiously per- 
formed, may yet be in season for the present session of Congress. 
I am, with best respects to Mrs. Machin, 

" Yours sincerely, 

"GEO CLINTON." 
*• Capt. Thomas Machin.'* 



600 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 

Capt. Machin, after seeing the country of his adoption, in the 
defence of which he had freely shed his own blood, pass triumph- 
antly through two wars with the previously acknowledged mis- 
tress of the wave, at the close of each gaining the admiration and 
respect of the world, died at his residence in Charleston on the 
evening of April 3d, 18 16, aged 72 years. A brief notice of his 
services and death appeared in the Albany Gazette of April 15th, 
which closed with the following sentence : " In the camp and in 
retirement his quatifications were holden in very high considera- 
tion" He was buried with Masonic honors. 

In a letter of personal introduction from Col. Aaron Burr to Hen- 
ry Remsen Esq., dated at N. Y., Dec. 30, 1830,1 find the follow- 
ing sentence; " Capt. Machin, who will have the pleasure to hand 
you this, is the son of my old friend and fellow-soldier, Capt. Ma- 
chin, who was a distinguished officer in our Revolutionary war, 
and was probably known to you." 



( 601 ) 



CHAPTER IX. 



Schoharie coanty, which is situated mostly within the forty- 
second degree of north latitude, was organized by a Legislative 
Act of April 7th, 1795, from portions of Albany and Otsego 
counties. It is centrally distant north from New York city 150 
miles, and west from the capitol 40 miles ; and presents a very 
uneven surface—from river flats to mountain elevations. The 
county originally consisted of six towns, which, except Schoha- 
rie, were not incorporated until March 17th, 1797. 

In 1801, New York contained thirty counties j and by a Le- 
gislative Act dated April seventh of that year, they were pro- 
perly divided into towns. The Session Laws printed in 1802, 
provide, that — ■ 

'* The county of Schoharie shall contain all that part of the 
State bounded earterly by the county of Albany, northerly by 
part of the south bounds of the county of Montgomery, as hereaf* 
ter described, westesly by a line beginning at the south-west cor- 
ner of a tract of land formerly granted to Jyhn Lyne, and running 
thence the following courses and distances as marked by order 
of the Surveyor General : south twenty-one degrees and forty-' 
eight minutes v/est, two hundred and nineteen chains, to the place 
where Joshua Tucker formerly resided; thence south seven de-- 
grees and forty-eight minutes west, one hundred and ninety-three 
chains, to the eastermost line of a tract of land known by the 
name of Belvidere patent ; thence south nine degrees east six 
hundred and ninety-five chains to a ceartain hill known by the 
name of Grosvenor's hill ; thence with a direct line from the north- 
west comes of Stroughburgh patent ; thence with a direct line to 
the most northerly corner of Harpersfield on the Charlotte or Ade- 
gataugie branch of the Susquehanna river ; thence south-easterly 
along the north bounds of Harpersfield to Lake Utsayantho, and 
southerly by a line formerly run from the head of Kaater's creek, 
where the same issues out of the southerlv side or end of a certain 



602 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 

lake or pond lying in the blue mountains to the said Lake Utyas- 
antho, and by part of the north bounds of the county of Greene. 

" And all that part of the said county of Schoharie beginning at 
a point in the west bounds of the county of Albany, two miles 
southerly of the place where Foxes creek intersects said west 
bounds, thence westerly to the place where Weaver's stony creek 
originally emptied itself into the Schoharie creek, and thence 
westerly to the place were the Cobelskill road crosses the Punch- 
kill, thence with a straight line to a point in the south bounds of 
the county of Montgomery five miles westerly of Schoharie creek, 
thence easterly along the county of Montgomery to Duanesburg, 
thence along the westerly and southerly bounds of Duanesburg 
and the west bounds of the county of Albany to the place of 
beginning, shall be and continue a town by the name of Scho- 
harie. 

" And all that part of the said county of Schoharie beginning at 
the place where the Cobelskill road crosses the Punchkill, thence 
with a straight line to the north-west corner of a patent granted to 
Michael Byrns and others, thence with a straight line to the west 
corner of the house now or late of Jacob Best near the head of the 
north branch of the Westkill, thence continuing the same line to 
a tract of land called Blenheim, thence easterly along the north- 
erly bounds of Blenheim until it strikes Schoharie creek, thence 
easterly with a straight line to the north-east corner of the dwell- 
ing house now or late of Moses Winter, thence with the same line 
continued to the west bounds of the county of Albany, thence 
northerly along the same to the south-east corner of the town of 
Schoharie, thence along the southerly bounds thereof to the place 
of beginning, shall be and continue a town by the name of MiD- 
DLEBURG. [The citizens now write it Middleburgh.] 

" And all that part of the said county of Schoharie beginning in 
the middle of Schoharie creek where the same is intersected by 
the southerly bound of the town of Middleburg, thence along 
the northern bounds of a tract of land called Blenhiem to the 
north-west corner thereof, thence continuing the same line to the 
county of Otsego, thence along the easterly bounds of Otsego to 
the county of Delaware, thence along the northern bounds thereof 
to the middle of Schoharie creek, thence northerly through the 
middle of said creek to the place of beginning, shall be and conti- 
nue a town by the name of Blenheim. 

" And all that part of the said county of Schoharie beginning 
at the north-east corner of the town of Blenheim, thence south- 
erly along the eastern line of said town to where the said creek 
is intersected by the south bounds of the county of Schoharie, 
thence easterly along the said south bounds to the county of Al- 
bany, thence westerly along the same to the south-west corner of 
the town of Middleburg, thence westerly along the south bounds 
of the same to the place of beginning, shall be and contiune a 
town by the name of Bristol. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 603 

" And all that part of the said county of Schoharie, begfinning 
at a point in the northern boundary line of the same, six miles and 
a half easterly of the north-east corner mf the town of Schoharie, 
in the said county, thence southerly in a direct line to the west cor- 
ner of the dwelling house now or late of John Redington, thence 
in a direct line to the westerly corner of the dwelling house now 
or late of Peter Bogardus, and thence in a straight line to the 
northerly corner of the dwelling house now or late of Joseph Webb, 
thence in a direct line to the westerly corner of the dwelling house 
now or late of Nicholas Smith, thence south-westerly to the near- 
est point in the division line between the counties of Schoharie and 
Otsego, thence southerly along the bounds of the county of Otsego 
to the north-west corner of the town of Blenheim, thence easterly 
along the north bounds thereof to the south-west corner of the 
town of Middleburg, thence northerly along the westerly bounds 
of the town of Middleburg and Schoharie to the north bounds of 
the county, and then along the same west to the place of begin- 
ning, shall be and continued a town by the name of Cobelskill. 

" And all the residue or remaining part of the said county of 
Schoharie, shall be and continue a town by the name of Sharon." 

After Schoharie county was organized, a new era began in its 
history. The frequent assembling- at court of men distinguished 
for oratory and legal acumen — especially where science and let- 
ters have been neglected, cannot fail rapidly to improve the state 
of society and manners of the people. The first attorneys who 
located in Schoharie, were George Tiffany and Jacob Gebhard. 

I had occasion, in the fore part of this book, to speak of the 
cleanliness of the pioneer settlers, and now advert to that of their 
descendants — and in justice must observe, that few, if any dis- 
tricts can show a greater proportionate number of very tidy 
housekeepers, than may now be seen in the Schoharie valley. 

Twice in a year, at least. Dr. Franklin's description of a house 
cleaning is realized, not only in the primitive Schoharie, but in the 
Mohawk river settlements. Every article of furniture, from the 
garret to the cellar, is then removed, that the place it occupied 
may be scrubbed. Lime is profusely used on such occasions, es- 
pecially in the Spring, and it would be difficult to detect the track 
of a fly on a window, wall, or floor, after the operation. The 
description given by Brooks, in his travels in Europe, of the neat- 
ness of the people in some of the Dutch and German countries 
through which he traveled, is applicable, in many instances, to 

S9 



604 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

the people of Schoharie : for as he says — ^'It is scrub, scrub, scrub 
from morning till night — -from pillar to post — where there is dirt, 
and where there is no7ie." The Schoharie women usually cleanse 
their floors daily, sometime semi-daily, by a process they call 
filing, which is done with a piece of sacking retained in the hands 
instead of being secured to a mop-stick. 

" Time," says Irving, " which changes all things, is but slow 
in its operations upon a Dutchman's dwelling." The Germans 
and Dutch do not generally display as much taste in the selection 
of a site for, and the erection of their dwellings, as do the Eng- 
lish. Frequently a Dutchman's house fronts its owner's barn, in- 
stead of fronting a public highway. A small kitchen and an oven 
are often separately erected — both detached from the dwelling. 
Houses recently built in Schoharie discover far more taste and 
beauty than those constructed in former times. 

If the Dutch manifest a want of taste in erecting their dwell- 
ings, some of the Yankees do quite as much in locating their 
out-buildings ; for it is but a few years since there might have 
been seen opposite many good farm-houses in some parts of New 
England, a corn-crib or waggon-house, the front of which was 
literally covered with sheep, racoon, or skunk-skins. 

Schoharie county contains 621 square miles. Its average length 
is 30 miles from north to south ', and width 22 miles from cast to 
west. Its population, in 1825, was 25,926 ; in 1840, 32,358 : 
of which latter number, 16,002 were white males ; 15,863 white 
females ; 253 black males ; and 240 black females. The valua- 
tion of assessed property is usually about §2,000,000. The coun- 
ty contained in 1840, 199 common schools, with 9,244 scholars : 
and no distillery, where were six in 1824. 

About the year 1810, a federal newspaper was established in 
Schoharie by Thomas Tillman, called The True American; 
soon after which The American Herald, a republican journal, 
was issued by Derick Van Vechton. In 1818, Mr. Van Vechten 
published a paper called The Budget; and the same year So- 
lomon Baker commenced a paper entitled The Schoharie Ob- 
server, which he published nearly five years. In 1319, The 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 605 

Schoharie Republican, a weekly sheet, as were its predecessors, 
was established, and is at present conducted by William H. Gal- 
lup. For several years previous to 1830, The Lutheran Maga- 
zine, a monthly periodical, was issued at the Republican office, 
A whig journal, entitled The Schoharie Patriot, was begun in 
1837, by Peter Mix, and continued until 1844. 

The Loonenberg, now Athens Turnpike, leading from Athens 
to Cherry-Valley, passes through the county from northeast to 
southwest ; and the Western Turnpike crosses the north part of 
the county. The route of the Canajoharie and Catskill Railroad 
is also laid through the county from north to south. 

This county presents almost every variety of soil and surface, 
from river flats to mountain elevations, and yields good crops of 
such grain as is usually produced in the same climate. It is also 
well timbered : along the water-courses chiefly with oak, hickory 
and pine, and on the uplands with maple, beech, birch, basswood 
and hemlock. 

The interval lands along the Schoharie, so justly celebrated for 
their beauty and fertility, are a rich alluvial deposit, formed by 
the transporting agency of the river, and its numerous tributaries, 
of such portions of earth, abraded and disintegrated rocks, and 
vegetable and animal matter as came under its influence. The 
most southern flats are least calcarious, being principally formed 
from the contiguous sand rock ; consequently the soil is not as 
productive without more artificial enriching. 

The county is well watered, and affords numerous hydraulic 
privileges, some of which are improved, and others not. It is 
principally watered by the Schoharie, the largest tributary of the 
Mohawk, and its numerous inlets. The Schoharie heads in the 
town of Hunter, Greene county, the principal branch rising in a 
small swamp, about eight miles from the Hudson, at Saugerties. 
The country is there very mountainous, ridges of the Catskill 
mountains separating the water-courses. Among the most im- 
portant tributaries near its source, are Eastkill and Westkill, 
which rise in Hunter and run into it in Lexington ; and Batavia 
creek, which enters it at Prattsville. — W. W. Edward. 



606 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Entering the county, the Schoharie courses northerly through 
the towns of Summit, Blenheim, Fulton, Middleburgh, and Scho- 
harie, until it arrives near the north end of the latter, when it 
takes an easterly course, and unites with the Mohawk five miles 
east of Fultonville, — its whole length being about seventy miles. 
From the mountainous nature of the country through which it 
flows, this river often rises suddenly, doing at times no little da- 
mage to the numerous mills its rapid course has invited to its 
banks. 

The first bench of common plea judges in Schoharie county, 
consisted of William Beekman, Adam P. Vrooman, John M. 
Brown, David Sternberg, and Jonathan Danforth ; the former 
was first judge about forty years. The courts, for a time, held 
their sessions in a small building still standing in the rear of John 
Ingold's dwelling. 

Schoharie sends two members to the State legislature ; with 
Otsego forms the twenty-first congressional district : and with Al- 
bany, Schenectada, Delaware, Greene, Columbia, and Rensselaer 
counties, makes the third senatorial district. 

The north part of the county is mostly underlaid with lime- 
stone, which supplies an abundance of good building materials ; 
and as it contains numerous fossils, some of which are very rare, 
— there being among them, the lily encrinite and several varie- 
ties of irilobite, — it affords the practical geologist a good oppor- 
tunity to investigate his useful science. There are, also, in the 
limestone region, several caverns of notoriety, the novelty and 
sparry formations of which invite to their dark chambers the ad- 
mirer of nature's wonder workings. 

There have been but two executions in this county for a capital 
offence since it was formed. The first was that of Abraham Cas- 
ler for the murder of his wife, which he effected by administering, 
alternately, opium and arsenic. Casler was not a resident of the 
county, but committed the deed at an obscure tavern, while tra- 
veling through it. As was generally believed, from testimony 
adduced on the trial, he desired to marry another woman, and 
poisoned his wife to prevent her proving an obstacle in the way 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 607 

of gratifying his unholy desires. Mrs. Best, the inn-keeper's 
wife, an intelligent woman, was the principal witness. He was 
tried before Judge Yates, Sept. 12th, 1817, and publicly executed 
on the hill east of the court-house in May following. 

The other case I notice more minutely, not with a view to in- 
crease its notoriety (for I am conscious that the relatives of this 
criminal are highly respectable), but to show how an inscrutable 
Providence follows crime with detection and punishment. 

John Vanalstyne was indicted Nov. 18th, 1818, for the murder 
of Wm. Huddleston, and tried for the offence at a special court of 
oyer and terminer at the Schoharie court-house, in Feb., 1819. 
The trial commenced on the morning of Feb. 17th, before Chief 
Justice Ambrose Spencer, and lasted nineteen hours. The crimina- 
ting testimony was entirely circumstantial. Eighty -three witnesses 
were subpoenaed, seventy-five of whom were present at the trial. 

On Friday afternoon, Oct. 19th, Huddleston, then a deputy 
sheriff of the county, went on horse-back to the house of Van 
Alstyne to collect several executions, amounting to about $1450. 
The former was seen just at night with the latter, soon after which, 
as subsequently appeared, he must have killed him at or near his 
barn. The mysterious disappearance of Huddleston aroused pub- 
lic inquiry as to his fate, and when Van Alstyne was questioned 
about his last interview with him, he stated that he had paid up 
the executions the former had against him, saw them endorsed 

satisfied, and supposed the d d rascal had run away with the 

money. He was also heard to say that no sheriff held any exe- 
cution against him. When interrogated after the murder, his 
statements, as to the amount of the several executions against him 
and the moneys paid to the sheriff, were contradictory. After 
the murder he took several bank-notes to a neighbor to be chang- 
ed, which appeared to have been purposely torn, and on one blood 
was found. He also stated in a conversation that the sheriff had 
on spectacles when he settled with him. 

Fearing detection. Van Alstine clandestinely left home on 
the evening of the 16th, and on the 17th, a great number of 
men having assembled from different parts of the county, his pre- 



608 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

raises were strictly searched, which resulted in discovering traces 
of blood in the barn, and on several fences leading towards a 
plowed field, 400 yards from the house ; and, finally, in finding 
the body of Huddleston in that field, where the accused had been 
harrowing on the day after the murder, although he had sown no 
grain. A further search in the barn brought to light the papers 
of the sheriiF concealed in the hay, among which were the exe- 
cutions against Van Alstyne, tiot endorsed ; and under a sill a 
heavy oak stake was found bloody, and with hair upon it; the 
spectacles of the sheriff were also found on the premises. In a 
swamp, some distance from the barn, a place was observed where 
a horse had been fastened some days, and under a log near was 
found part of a sheep skin used by Mr. Huddleston upon his sad- 
dle, while the saddle was found beneath a small bridge by chil- 
dren pursuing a squirrel. 

No doubt was entertained but what Van Alstyne was the mur- 
derer, and had fled with Huddleston's horse. Accordingly, a re- 
ward of $250 was offered by Governor De Witt Clinton, and $ 100 
more by Sheriff Keyser, for his apprehension. The Governor in- 
creased the whole reward to $500. It was shown on the trial 
that the prisoner was seen at Trenton and Lowville, in possession 
of Huddleston's horse, making his way towards Canada. Arri- 
ving at Buffalo, he took passage on Saturday, the 14th of Nov., 
on board of the Com. Perry, Capt. Johnson, a vessel bound for 
Detroit, assuming the name of John Allen, and accompanied by a 
suspicious person calling himself Isaac Page. 

On board the Com. Perry Elias W. Slocum, who was remov- 
ing with his family from Jefferson county to some part of Ohio, 
had also taken passage, to be landed at Sandusky. On Monday 
morning the vessel was at anchor at Long Point, where, in conse- 
quence of a strong gale having arisen, she parted her cable, and 
was obliged to put back to the harbor at Black Rock, from whence 
she had sailed. While on the lake, Slocum had some conversa- 
tion with Van Alstyne, who betrayed, as he thought, evidence of 
criminality ; and having a newspaper which contained the pro- 
mised reward for the apprehension of Huddleston's supposed mur- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 609 

derer, with a description of his person, he at once suspected his 
fellow passenger, whose personal appearance and clothing ans- 
wered the description, and, on arriving at Black Rock, he appre- 
hended and lodged him in Buffalo jail. "When arrested, he denied 
that his name was Van Alstyne, or that he had ever known a man 
named Wm. Huddleston, but was soon after identified by several 
persons who knew him, and he was removed to Schoharie. 

The conduct of Page, after Van Alstyne was arrested, in con- 
nection with the fact that he had an over-coat of the prisoner in 
his possession, increased the suspicion of Slocum as to his true 
character, and it was only by the threat of his arrest as an ac- 
complice that he could get rid of him, he evidently being intent 
on aiding the prisoner in an escape. What became of the horse 
rode off by Van Alstyne was never known at Schoharie. The 
trial was conducted by Henry Hamilton Esq., the District Attor- 
ney, assisted by M. J. Cantine Esq. ; and the prisoner was defend- 
ed by Jacob Gebhard and T. J. Oakley Esquires, Nine jurors 
were set aside as having pre-judged the case. The cause w^as 
ably managed, and resulted in finding the prisoner guilty of 
the crime for which he was indicted. In pronouncing his sen- 
tence. Judge Spencer depicted in glowing colors the enormity of 
the prisoner's offence, — warning the numerous assemblage against 
the indulgence of crime. Van Alstyne was publicly executed on 
the hill, where Casler had previously suffered a similar death, 
March 19th, 18 19 ; and there would seem to have been a most 
signal interposition of Providence in bringing him to punishment. 
Circumstances, over which human action could have no control, 
urged on the car of Justice and sealed his untimely fate. On board 
of a vessel bound to a distant port, he felt comparatively safe 
from pursuit ; but instead of gentle breezes wafting the vessel to 
her place of destination, a furious gale broke her fastenings, and 
compelled a return to the starting point to deliver up the offender. 
The result of this man's trial, for a crime witnessed by no human 
eye, should deter all persons from the perpetration of any offence 
against law, committed in the hope that, because unseen by man, 
they will escape detection, for it is not in man that walketh to di- 



610 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

red his steps. The love of money, or free indulgence of passion, 
may cause man to violate wholesome laws ; but vengeance is 
mine, and I tvill repay the guilty, saith the Lord of Hosts. 

The Lutheran and Dutch Reformed Churches were organized 
in the Schoharie settlements at an early period. The following 
brief history of the Lutheran Church was mostly taken from a 
sketch of its establishment and progress which appeared in the 
Lutheran Magazine in 1827, prepared by Rev. Dr. G. A. Lintner. 

Soon after the Germans located at Schoharie, they formed a 
church, and had preaching occasionally as before stated. On the 
7th of September, 1742, the congregation gave a call to the Rev. 
Peter Nicholas Somraer, a native of Hamburgh, Germany, who 
was ordained in that city as pastor of this church on the 21st of 
the same month. He arrived in the field of his labors May 25th, 
1743, and on the 30th preached his introductory sermon. The 
first officers were Abraham Berg, and Michael Freymaurer, el- 
ders ; Henry Schaeffer and Peter Loewensteen, deacons. The 
first vestry meeting was held on the 8th of June, 1743, at which 
it was resolved to commence erecting a parsonage house for the 
minister, which dwelling was to serve the present purposes of a 
church. On the 3d of July following his arrival, Mr. Sommer 
first publicly administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper in 
Schoharie, when the communicants participated. On the 12th of 
September, the same year, public worship was held in the new 
parsonage, and continued to be for several years. Early in 1750, 
preparations were commenced for erecting a church ; on the 10th 
of May the corner stone of the foundation was formally laid by 
the pastor ; and the edifice, which was built of stone from an ad- 
joining field, having been completed, it was solemnly dedicated 
on Whitsuntide, May 6th, 1751. 

Mr. Sommer, who appears to have been much esteemed by his 
people, was a faithful laborer, and for many years not only preach- 
ed in his own church, but at stated periods in the German settle- 
ments of Stone Arabia, Little Falls, in and near the Mohawk val- 
ley ; Rhinebeck, East and West Camp, Claverack, and Loonen- 
burgh, on the Hudson ; Hoosick Road, in Rensselaer county ; and 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 611 

Albany, Helleberg, and Beaver-dam, in Albany county. The 
congregations in the three first-mentioned places, the nearest of 
which was twenty-four miles from Schoharie, were for a time in- 
cluded in his pastoral charge ; but the Rev. Johan Frederick Ries 
became their minister in December, 1751. 

In December, 1758, Mr. Sommer preached for the first time in 
Cobelskill, and there administered the sacrament ; after which pe- 
riod his services were mostly confined to the Schoharie settlements. 
In 1768 he became suddenly blind, and was led to church by An- 
drew Loucks, for many years its clerk and chorister, continuing to 
discharge most of the official duties with the infirmity.* Old age 
obliged him to retire from the ministry early in 1789. From 
Schoharie he went to reside ^'ith relatives in Sharon, where he 
died about the year 1795 ; and his bones now repose on the farm 
of Judge Robert Eldredge, the grave being identified by a frag- 
ment of coarse sandstone placed at its head, on which are rudely 
engraved the initials of his name in the following order, N. S. P., 
the last letter being now hardly intelligible. If the Lutheran 
ckurches he was instrumental in organizing in Schoharie county, 
would remove the bones of this faithful old laborer in their ser- 
vice to the Schoharie burying ground, which is located on the site 
of the church in which he ministered, and erect a suitable monu- 
ment over them, they would do a laudable act, and discharge a 
duty they owe to his memory. 

In 1791, the Rev. Anthony Theodore Braun took charge of 
the Lutheran church in Schoharie, and continued its pastor until 

1794. He was succeeded by the Rev. Frederick H. Quitman in 

1795. In 1796 the congregation erected the brick edifice it now 

• After having been totally blind nearly twenty years, he awoke one Sab- 
bath morning, to his great surprise, with his vision restored. His wife had 
previously risen, and calling her into his room, he exclaimed, " I can see as 
well as ever I could '" She was at first terrified, supposing him deranged j 
but he continued, " Be not alarmed — my sight is restored !" " What can you 
see ? his wife, still trembling, interrogated. " I see you — see every object in 
the room — see yonder trees!" said he, pointing to several large trees visible 
from a window. He left his bed with feelings few can realize, put on his 
clothes, and from that time to the hour of his death, his perception of objects 
was restored to its former condition. 



612 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

occupies. Mr. Quitman left his station in 1798. In 1799 Mr. 
Braun was recalled to the pastoral duties of this church, but again 
relinquished them in 1801. The church was without a pastor un- 
til 1805, when the Rev. Augustus Wackerhagen entered upon 
those duties. In 1815, he accepted a call from Columbia county. 

The four pastors named were men of good classic attainments, 
— were fine German scholars, — usually preached in the German 
language, — and were very much respected. In 1816, the Rev. 
John Molther became pastor of the congregation ; but on account 
of his dissi'pation he was removed by the Lutheran Synod in 1818. 

In 1819, the Rev. George A. Lintnerwas called to preside over 
this congregation, and the church has prospered ever since, he still 
being its pastor. This institution, which had to contend whh ma- 
ny trials in its early existence, known only in border settlements, 
was evidently of Divine origin. It struggled through scenes of 
difficulty and danger in the early history of the settlement, shed- 
ding the light of Christian benevolence around the footsteps of 
the pioneer. It was threatened by the perils of the French and In- 
dian wars : and Domine Sommer preached a proper discourse and 
administered the sacrament to a company of volunteers, who 
marched from Schoharie in 1746, to join an expedition against 
Canada. In the American Revolution, religious service was most- 
ly discontinued in border settlements — and this congregation knew 
from experience the horrors of a civil war — a condition of things 
much at variance with the doctrines of Christianity. 

During our last war with Great Britain, many individuals and 
associations sent out small notes, usually denominated shin-plas- 
ters, and this church issued them. The following is a blank 
copy of one : 

" The Consistory of St. PauVs Church, in Schoharie, promise 

TO PAY THE BEARER, ON DEMAND, TwO CenTS. 

Nov. 16, 1814. Secretary.'' 

At what period the Reformed Dutch Church was established in 
Schoharie, I am unable to show ; it is believed, however, to have 
been nearly as early as was the Lutheran Church. The church 
records were consumed in the parsonage some years since, which 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 613 

mlsfourtune deprives me of data necessary to show its organiza- 
tion and early history. I, however, gleaned from one of its old- 
est male members, that the first house of worship stood several 
rods northeast of the old stone church ; was constructed of wood ; 
was built after the model of the Dutch Church in Albany, with a 
steeple over the cenlre ; that it was provided with a small bell, 
the rope of which came down in the middle of the building ; and 
that it was razed at the time the stone edifice was erected in 1772. 
The clergyman who preached in Schoharie at an early day, offi- 
ciated in the German language in Schoharie, and in low Dutch, 
at Weiser's dorf, where a Dutch church was erected nearly as ear- 
ly as was the one in Schoharie. The Dutch Church had similar 
difficulties to surmount in its early history to those which usually 
attend the planting of churches in a new country. 

Judge Brown, as he assured the writer, was clerk and chorister 
of the Schoharie Church, or fore-singer, as then called, before 
the Revolution, and used often to go from his residence in Carlisle, 
on Sabbath mornings, to church on foot, a distance of fourteen 
■miles, and be there in time for the service ', returning home after 
it in the same manner. Is there a man in the county now, would 
go that distance to church every Sabbath, if he could he driven 
there in an easy chair 1 If there is, let him declare it, "for him 
have I offended.'^ 

The Rev. Mr. Schuyler, long a pastor of this church, died du- 
ring the Revolution, and I am not able to show who have been 
his successors in regular order. I have in my possession a blank 
call for a minister to take charge of the Dutch churches in Scho- 
harie, written in German, from which I learn that he was to re- 
ceive, for every person baptised, a fee of one shilling ; for every 
couple married, a fee of eight shillings; that his salary was to be 
paid half in cash and half in wheat j that his fire- wood was to be 
furnished scot-free ; and that he was to have four Sabbaths in a 
year to himself. 

Until about the year 1820, not only the Schoharie churches, but 
those in other parts of New York and New England, were nearly all 
destitute of stoves, or any convenience for warming them in the 



614 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

winter ; and the families in attendance usually carried small foot- 
stoves to church on the Sabbath, supplying them with a few coals, 
buried in hot embers, at the dwellings nearest the sanctuary. Al- 
though the health of numbers was endangered by attending di- 
vine service before the introduction of the box-stove, still the 
churches were in o^eneral well filled with attentive hearers. Be- 
tween the morning and afternoon service, that part of the con- 
gregation living remote from country churches, at the period un- 
der consideration, usually depended on the hospitality of the good 
people living near, at whose dwellings they not only received the 
benefit of a warm fire, but frequently were served with a luncheon 
of fried cakes, cheese, and apples, and a glass of good cider- 
The intermission, which was seldom over an hour, was often spent 
in discussing some religious topic, to the edification of numbers 
present. 

In former times, the churches of New England and New York 
were provided with tiding-men — persons appointed to keep or- 
der in the galleries, having authority to change the position, or 
even impose corporeal punishment, on such as in any manner dis- 
turbed the congregation. Cornelius Van Schaack, who was for a 
long time sexton of the old Dutch Church in Albany, and during 
the Revolution, was much of the time its tiding-man. ~f Often 
might this efficient officer have been seen during the service to 
enter the gallery with a hickory-gad, and lay it over the backs of 
mischievous children, or noisy half-grown boys, if they did not 
see him coming and escape punishment by creeping under the 
benches, which was not unfrequently the case. — (James Lansing.) 
Tiding-men were continued in many of the New England church- 
es to as late a period as the year 1825. 

Before the Revolution, constables in Albany were required, as 
a part of their duty, if they saw children at play on the Sabbath, 
to correct them — and those guardians of order were often seen to 
enter the door-yard of a rich man, and flog his peace-disturbing 
boys, regardless of what parents or guardians might say or do. — 
J. Lansinsc. 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 615 

Blenheim,* a town in the south-westerly part of Schoharie 
county, is centrally distant 44 miles south-west from Albany ; 20 
west of south from the county seat ; and 35 north of west from 
Catskill. It is bounded north by Fulton, east by Broome and 
Conesville, south by Delaware county, and west by JefTerscn. 
Population 2,726. 

Most of the early settlers in the south part of this town were 
from New England, and their descendants are engaged in the 
dairy business. A large tract of land, embraced in Scott's Patent, 
is located in Conesville, Broome, and southerly part of this town. 
Much of the tract is now owned by the Livingston family, and 
leased to tenantry. The prevailing strata of rock is graywacke 
and red-sand, the latter affording, in several quarries, a good 
building material. In it are also found some fossils. This town 
contains 2 post-offices — Blenheim and JYorth Blenheim — and 4 
churches — 2 Methodist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Reformed Dutch. 

Broome (name changed from Bristol, April 6, 1818,) is about 
35 miles south-west of Albany, 15 south of the county seat, and 
30 from Catskill. It is bounded north by Middleburgh, east by the 
county of Albany, south by Conesville, and west by Blenheim — 
somewhat resembling a boot in its shape. Population 2,404. Its 
early settlers were mostly from New England. It has 3 post-offi- 
ces — Livingston, Smithton, and Gilboa — and 6 churches — 2 each 
Presbyterian and Baptist, and 1 each Methodist and Chris- 
tian. 

Chancellor Lansing once owned a valuable tract of land in this town. In 
1818, Jacob Sutherland Esq., who had married a daughter of the chancellor, 
went to reside at a romantic place in North Blenheim, to look to his own and 
the possessions of his father-in-law ; about whiih time he was appointed Dis- 
trict Attorney for the IJ. S. District Court. While a resident of the county, 
he was appointed one of its judges ; and when the convention met in 1821 to 
alter the constitution, he was sent, with Olney Briggs and Asa Starkweather, 
to represent Schoharie county in the convention, and proved an efficient mem- 
ber. Soon after the adoption of the new constitution, Mr. Sutherland was 
elected a state senator, but a seat being offered him on the bench of the Su- 
preme Court, he declined the former, accepted the judgeship, and remov- 
ed to Albany. Some years since, he resigned the office of judge, received 
that of clerk of the same court, and removed to Geneva. He died at Albany 
May, 13, 1845, aged about 58 years. 



616 HISTOKY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

One of the first settlers in the interior of this town was David 
Elerson, who located in 1793. Previous to the Revolution he 
was engaged in the Indian wars of Virginia, in which he received 
a bullet through his left shoulder. Several Indians having secreted 
themselves behind a fallen tree, were doing fearful execution in 
the ranks of the colonial troops, and Elerson determined, at the 
peril of his life, to punish them. While crawhng towards a cov- 
ert for that purpose, he received the ball as described, but soon 
had the satisfaction, by one or two effective shots, of driving the 
enemy from their position. 

He was in the Monmouth battle, under Col. Morgan, and es- 
caped unhurt. Col. Morgan hung upon the rear of the British 
army some distance in their retreat. Arriving near Middletown, 
Elerson, Murphy, Wilbur, and Tuffts (all of whom were after- 
wards on duty in Schoharie,) obtained permission to leave the 
ranks, with the caution of extreme vigilance from their command- 
er, and pursue the enemy towards Raritan Bay. Having separa- 
ted from his companions, Elerson found himself in sight of his 
foes. The army had embarked at Gravelly Point, and effected a 
landing on Staten Island by the boats of the enemy's fleet, then in 
the bay to cover their retreat. Nothing remained on the Middle- 
town shore except 40 or 50 horses, several baggage-wagons and 
a phaeton, supposed to belong to Sir Henry Clinton. This pro- 
perty he perceived was guarded by only two sentinels, one of 
whom stood on the beach near tlie water. Arriving unperceived 
within a few yards of the two soldiers, one of whom was a mount- 
ed trooper, he leveled his rifle and shoutec" to them to suirender 
themselves prisoners. The man on foot was so surprised that he 
let his gun fall into the water, wetting its powder. The dragoon 
rode into the water, with the intention of swimming his horse to 
the island, but the tide compelled him to return. In the mean 
time, Elerson ordered the other man to harness a span of good 
horses before the carriage, and compelled, with leveled rifle, his 
immediate compliance. Returning to the beach, the trooper was 
evidently intent on getting a pistol shot at Elerson, when the lat- 
ter ordered him to leave his presence or surrender himself a 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 617 

prisoner. Elerson did not wish to fire, as the British army and 
fleet were in sight, and would doubtless turn their artillery upon 
him; but the sentinel, drawing a pistol, did not heed his threats, 
and he sent a ball through his heart. The rifle's report had 
hardly ceased its echoes, when a cannon shot plowed up the sand 
near his feet ; and just as the second ball lodged in xhe loose soil 
near him, having reloaded his piece and observed that his carriage 
was ready, he bounded into it, and, with his prisoner for driver, 
soon left the Middletown hills, and rode in safety to the American 
camp. This daring hero, as he assured the author, sold his car- 
riage and horses for $187.50, and sent the money to his poor 
father in Virginia. As was the case with many other brave spi- 
rits of the Revolution, Elerson could neither read or write. He 
died in 1838 or '39. 

David Williams, one of the captors of Major Andre, removed 
from South Salem, Westchester county, 1805, to this town, and 
settled on the farm of the late Gen. Shays,* near Livingstonville,f 
where he resided to the time of his death. For a sketch of his 
life, the capture and execution of Andre, &c. see the succeeding 
chapter. 

Carlisle, formed in 1807, from parts of Cobelskill and Sharon, 
is about 8 miles long from east to west, and nearly 7 wide : situ- 

* This Gen. Shays was the man who headed an insurrection against the 
government of Massachusetts in 1786: the malcontents were dispersed in 
1787, by State troops under Generals Shephard and Lincoln. This transac- 
tion has since been called Shays' Rebellion. Not long after becoming thus 
celebrated he removed to Schoharie county, from whence after a residence of 
some 15 years, he went to reside at Cayuga, N. Y., where he died in 1821. 
He drew a pension of $240 a year ; a captain's pay for services in the Revo- 
lution. Shays was a man of noble and commanding figure, fine martial 
appearance, and pleased with the title of General, with which he was usually 
saluted.-" TF .W. Murphy. | 

t A war path in the Revolution led from Kingston to Schoharie. Follow- 
ing up the Catskill through the towns of Durham and Rensselaerville, it 
proceeded onward through Broome to Middleburgh. At Livingstonville in 
Broome, directly on this path, lived Derick Van Dyck, who settled there be- 
fore the war ; and often did Timothy Murphy partake of the hospitality of 
this pioneer when on his secret expeditions into that neigborhood, and regale 
himself with a good draught of buttermilk ; a beverage of which it is possible 
the Indian also partook in the absence of his destroyer. — Judge Murphy. 



618 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ated 10 miles northwest of the county seat, and 40 from Albany. 
It is bounded north by Montgomery county, east by Schoharie, 
south by Cobelskill, and west by Sharon. Population 1,850. It 
has 1 post-office, called after the town ; and 3 churches, 1 Presby- 
terian, 1 Methodist, and 1 Union church, the latter built by seve- 
ral denominations. The two first named churches are at Carlisle, 
the principal village in the town, which is situated on the' Western 
Turnpike ; the other is at Grosvenofs Corners, a small hamlet in 
the south part of the town. Near the latter place is an interesting 
locality to geologists, oi fibrous sulphate of barytes ; the fibres 
being from half an inch to two inches in width. Near the barytes 
is a layer of fibrous carbonate of lime, or arragonite. 

A part of this town was embraced in the local settlement deno- 
minated New Rhinebeck, its pioneers having removed there about 
the year 1760, from Rhinebeck, on Hudson River. The four 
families which first located were those of Andrew Loucks, Con- 
radt Engle, Philip Kerker, and Peter Young. The late Judge 
Brown settled near them soon after. 

Its substratum is limestone, which is filled with indubitable 
evidence of former conditions of this region, since which change 
has passed over it, and drawn her petrifying finger in calcarious 
lines around its mundane existence. In the rock are numerous 
caverns, a few only of which have been visited. Young^s and 
Selleck's caves are the most extensive of any as yet explored, and 
they have only been but partially so. The latter, first visited in 
1841, by George Shibley and J. C. Selleck after whom it is called, 
is said to be roomy, affording the visitor fine specimens of spar. 

In the woods, about a mile northwest of Carlisle village, is a 
small cavern, in which it is believed the Indians often found rest 
when visiting the neighboring settlements in the Revolution, as it 
afforded them ample secuj-ity. Near it issues a fine spring. The 
bones of animals, fire brands, and some fifty sticks, set in the ground, 
apparently, for the purpose of drying meat, gave evidence of re- 
peated visitants, to those who discovered the place after the war. 

In this town is one of the most lofty elevations in the county, 
known by the aboriginal name of 0-wacre-souere. It is of a co- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 619 

nical form, and may be seen from Fulton county, fifty miles north 
of it. 

CoBELSKiLL, Centrally distant from the Court House, 10 miles, 
and from Albany 40, is bounded north by Carlisle, east by Scho- 
harie and Fulton, south by Summit and Otsego county, and west 
by Seward and Sharon. Population 3,583. This township is of 
an oblong shape. The Cobelskill, a fine mill stream, rises on the 
Tallmadge farm, in Worcester, Otsego county, near the source of 
Schenevas creek, and running northeast sixteen miles, falls into 
the Schoharie near Central Bridge. West creek, its greatest tri- 
butary, rises on the borders of Cherry Valley, and affording nu- 
merous good mill seats in Seward, through which it courses eas- 
terly, unites with the Cobelskill near Cobelskill Centre. 

The first settlement in this town was made on the flats, a strip 
of rich alluvion, extending several miles along the Cobelskill, in 
1750, by Shafers, Boucks, Warners, Lawyers, Frimires, Borsts, 
and Browns, from Schoharie, and George Fester, from Pennsyl- 
vania, all of whom were of German origin. 

In this town there are 6 churches, and 6 villages, each with 
a -post office, viz : Cobelskill, Richmondville, Lawyerville, Barn- 
erville, Cobelskill Centre, and Punchkill. The first two villages 
are the most important ; the former having 2 churches, Luther- 
an and Dutch Reformed, — several stores workshops, &c., and pro- 
bably the best district school house in the county, a neat edifice, 
recently erected. The other villages have 3 churches, 1 each, — 
Lutheran, Methodist, and Baptist, a tannery, several work- 
shops, stores, &.C. The rock in the south part of the town is prin- 
cipally sandstone and graywacke — the grit of the former in some 
quarries being suitable for grindstones. The north part of the 
town abounds in limestone, in which are numerous unexplored 
caverns. 

Among the early settlers at Lawyerville, were Capt. James 
Dana, a native of Ashford, Connecticut, and John Redington ; 
the former having served his country as a captain of the Connec- 
ticut line of Continental troops, and the latter a soldier of that 
gallant band. Dana was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and in 

40 



620 HISTORY OF SCHOHAEIE COUNTY, 

command of a company of men was stationed, with Capt. Knowl- 
ton and his company, by the orders of Gen. Putnam, to prevent 
the enemy from gaining Col. Prescott's rear, and thus cut off the 
retreat of the Americans to the main-land. From this position, 
Capt. D., with Lieut. Thomas Grosvenor and Sergeant Fuller, at 
a given signal, fired on Maj. Pitcairn, a British officer, marching 
with a body of men toward the fence, and he fell mortally wound- 
ed. During the battle a cannon shot struck the fence, and forced 
a rail against Dana's breast with such violence as to prostrate 
him ; but he regained his feet, and kept his ground until the troops 
left the hill, when he drew off his men and aided in covering the 
retreat of the army in good order. While retreating a bullet 
lodged in his canteen. 

After the battle of Bunker Hill, a colonel's commission was of- 
fered Captains Knowlton and Dana, which the former accepted 
and the latter, from his native difficence, declined : he, however, 
left the army at the close of the war, with the rank of brevet- 
major. On arriving at the American camp, near Boston, and be- 
coming apprized of the bravery of the two captains mentioned, 
and their deeds in the late battle, Gen. Washington immortalized 
their names in liis first general order, announcing as the secret 
counter sign, Knoivlton ! and parole, Dana ! 

Thomas Grosvenor, who was a lieutenant, and third in com- 
mand of the troops stationed at the fence on Bunker Hill, and who 
was promoted to colonel, — in a letter to Col. Daniel Putnam, who 
was compelled to vindicate the character of his father. Gen. Israel 
Putnam, from an ignoble charge of cowardice made by Gen. 
Dearborn, which letter is dated April 30th, 1818, in speaking of 
the officers at that station, makes no mention of Capt. Dana, who 
was second in that command, and why he does not seems mysteri- 
ous, for Dana was the man who first communicated the evident in- 
tention of the enemy to out-flank the Americans. Lieut. Grosve- 
nor was wounded, and retired early from the field. That Dana 
was a modest, uneducated man, affords no good reason why lau- 
rels fairly won by him should be claimed by others. The truth is 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 621 

Capt. Dana merited a position in Col. Trumbull's picture of that 
battle, which is given to another.* 

On an occasion when Gen. Washington was reconnoitering the 
American lines, Capt. Dana was on duty in the neighborhood, and 
observing the former riding in a direction where the enemy were 
just before posting sentinels, he said to him — " Perhaps your Ex- 
cellence/ may he in danger of a surprise if you 'proceed further 
that way ; the enemy in force are just over that knoll before you." 
The Commander thankfully received the caution, and bowing res- 
pectfully, galloped back to his quarters. But for the prudence of 
Capt. Dana, it is possible Gen. Washington would have been a 
prisoner to Sir Henry Clinton. Capt. Dana stood high in the 
confidence of the Commander-in-chief 

When he located at Lawyerville, he erected a good log 
dwellino-, in which he ever after resided. His virtues were 
held in high estimation in the community. On the organi- 
zation of a brigade of New York infantry, Capt. Dana received 
from Gov. Lewis, as a partial reward for services rendered his 
country, a general's commission. He was the first man who ever 
held that office in Schoharie county, and discharged its duties with 
becoming dignity. 

The following anecdote of Gen. Lee was related to his friends 
by Gen. Dana : While the latter was reconnoitering on some 
occasion in the vicinity of the enemy's works, they were firing 
shells towards the American camp. Observing a shell to strike 
near him, he stepped behind a large tree near by. At the mo- 
ment it fell, and while the fuse w^as burning off, Gen. Lee arrived 
upon the spot with a favorite dog. He did not even seek the co- 
vert of a tree, — and the dog, imitating his master's example of 
unconcern, with curiosity to know the cause of its buzzing, 
ran up to smell of it at the instant it exploded. The dog 

• Gen. William Eaton, who was the first American to unfurl the banner of 
freedom on the sands of Africa, (in 1803,) and win for his country the res- 
pect of the haughty Bashaw of Tripoli, by planting the American flag on the 
subdued fortifications of the city of Derne, the second city of importance in 
his dominions, commenced studying the art of war at an early age, as a pri- 
vate soldier, under Capt. Dana. 



622 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

was sent several rods, though not killed. Seeing his canine friend 
thus precipitated, he addressed him, unconscious of being over- 
heard — " You d — dj^ool ! have you been so long in the service, and 
don't yet know what a bomb is ?" 

John Redington was a private in Capt. Dana's company of 
Connecticut troops, and was taken prisoner at Horseneck by De- 
lancey's cavalry. In the retreat of the Americans he concealedf 
himself under a bridge, and being discovered by the enemy he 
was brought out, divested of his hat, shoes, &c., and thus driven 
on foot by the unfeeling corps, with which he was compelled to 
keep up, all the way to New York, where he was incarcerated in 
that charnel, the Sugar House — enduring such sufferings as an 
iron frame only could endure — to the end of the war. On the 
return of peace he removed from Connecticut to Cobelskill, and 
settled in the neighborhood of his respected captain. In conse- 
quence of his patriotism and sufferings, he was given the command 
of the second company of cavalry ever organized in Schoharie 
county. He was a very enterprising man, and the Reformed 
Dutch Church, near his residence, was erected about the year 
1800, through his influence. 

The commissions for Gen. Dana and Capt. Redington, were ob- 
tained for them through the influence of a gentleman of great li- 
terary attainments, then residing in their neighborhood, who com- 
municated the incidents in their lives, here given, to the author. 

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the 
grave-yard at T.awyerville: 

" In memorv of General James Dana, who died October 16th, 
A. D. 1817, aged 85 years." 

" Erected A. L.* 5817, by Morality Lodge, No. 217, of Free 
and Accepted Masons, in memory of William Huddleston, Esq., 
who was assassinated on the 9th of October, 1818, while in the 
discharge of his ofHcial duty, aged 60 years, 3 months, and 26 
days." 

" In memory of Captain John Redington, who died April 12th, 
1830, aged 73 years, 6 months, and 14 days. A Revolutionary 
veteran, an enterprising settler of the county, of distinguished pub- 
lic spirit — an honest man." 

"Anno Lucis — Year of Light. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 623 

" Doct. Jesse Shepard, late a Judge of Schoharie county, died 
April 19th 1832, aged 57 years, 10 months, and 18 days." 

CoNESviLLE, southeast town in the county, was formed March 
3d, 1836, from Broome and Durham in Greene county, and is 
bounded in the act of incorporation as follows : 

" Beginning at the centre of the Schoharie creek in the county 
of Schoharie, where the Manor creek empties into the same ; 
thence north 46 degrees east 176 chains, to the northAvest corner 
of a lot in Scott's patent known as the Leming lot ; thence east 
along the lines of lots in the said patent 320 chains, to the east 
line of the said patent 21 chains, to the north line of Stringer's 
patent ; thence east along the north line of the said last mentioned 
patent, 176 chains to the east line of the county of Greene ; thence 
eastwardly along] the north line of the said county of Greene, 34 
chains ; thence south two degrees east, 166 chains to the dividing 
line between the towns of Durham and Windham ; thence west- 
wardly. and northwardly along the said dividing line and the 
dividing line between Durham und Prattsville, until it intersects 
the north line of the county of Greene; thence westwardly along 
the said county line, to the centre of the Schoharie creek, and 
thence northwardly down the centre of the said creek to the place 
of beginning." 

This town is centrally distant from Albany 40 miles ; from the 
county seat 26 ; and from Catskill 30. Population 1,621. It is 
watered by Diesman's creek, which runs into the Schoharie near 
Gilboa : on this creek near its mouth is a beautiful cascade, of 
some 60 feet descent. It has 1 post-office, bearing its name; 
and 3 churches, 1 Dutch Reformed.^ and 2 Methodist. The pioneer 
settlers of this town were Peter Richtmyer, Judge John Reynolds, 
Thomas Fitch, John Walker, and Elisha Bates ; the four last 
being New England men : the settlement w^as made about the 
year 1795. The inhabitants are mostly engaged in the dairy 
business. — A. Richtmyer and W. W. Murphy. 

Fulton, incorporated in 1828 from part of Middleburgh, is 
centrally distant from Albany 45 miles, and from the county seat 
12. Population 2,146. On the flats in this town were some of 
the earliest settlements made in the county by the Dutch at Vroo- 
man's Land ,and the Germans at Brakabeen. It has 3 post-offices 
Fultonham, Brakabeen, and ByrnviUe ; and 4 churches, 1 Refor- 
med Butch, 1 Baptist, 1 Union, and 1 Lutheran. 



624 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

Bouck's Falls, situated on Panther creek, a mill stream which 
rises in Jefferson, and runs into the Schoharie just above Panther 
mountain in this town, are among the most interesting natural 
curiosities in the State. At my first visit to this waterfall (in Oct. 
1837), I named it after Col. J. W. Bouck, who accompanied me 
to it. The stream dashes down a precipice in a little distance at 
least one hundred feet, into a deep pool its action has worn at the 
base. The bold cliffs tower upwards on either side about 200 
feet, while the trees — standing upon the summit like sentinels on 
the walls of a castle — present a picture romantic and enchanting 
indeed. In its descent, the water is concealed b}' projecting rocks 
except in two places, the one near the bottom, and the other 50 
or 60 feet above, at which latter place it dashes down with thun- 
dering, deafening roar. The opening cut in a mountain gorge 
by this cataract, is from 200 to 300 feet across at the bottom and 
much less at the summit, so that could the hill tops unite, a cavern 
would thus be formed several hundred feet in depth, with a vaulted 
ceiling nearly a hundred feet high. The rock is sandstove^ similar 
to the prevailing formation of Otsego and Madison counties, char- 
acterised at this point by the inocera'mus and several other varieties 
of fossil shells, and farther upv/ard by the trilobite De Kayii. 

As if to add interest to the scene at the time of the visit named^ 
there stood Dick Bouck, then a gray-headed old negro, who, as 
before stated, was the little captive slave taken with William 
Bouck and part of his family in 1780. Dick had been fishing for 
trout until they would no longer bite, and was then hooking them 
up. He recounted the story of his captivity — but could not resist 
the temptation, as a good sized fish came within reach, to attempt 
its capture, thus often losing the thread of his tale, to the great 
amusement of his auditors, who were constantly reproving him 
for his inattention. He several times raised his hooks from the 
water for the purpose of finishing his narrative, but the line would 
as often sink unconsciously into it, to capture a good sized trout. 
Poor Dick, he sleeps with his fathers, and has for several years ; 
but long will the author remember the story of his captivity, and 
the novel manner in which he related it. 




BOUCK'S FALLS. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 627 

Ex-Governor William C. Bouck, is a native of this town, and 
was born January 7th, 1786. His farm is situated upon an island 
on the east side of the river, and his dwelling is pleasantly located 
near the bank of the river, fronting the road, the river, and on its 
opposite shore a romantic mountain called Ottegus-berg — Panther 
mountain. 

His early education was good considering the former condition 
of our common schools, at which he received a considerable share 
of it. His was however a mind of that inquisitive sort, susceptible 
of improvement from general reading and close observation. — 
Numerous have been the instances in our country, in which men 
have — imitating the commendable example of a Washington and 
a Franklin, by untiring application after they have done going to 
school, where in fact an education is hut just begun, — stored their 
minds with a fund of useful knowledge which has been the means 
in after life, of elevating them to stations of distinction and honor. 

In 1807, then 21 years of age, he was elected clerk of his na- 
tive town, and the following year its supervisor. In 1812, he 
was appointed sheriff of Schoharie county, by Governor Tomp- 
kins, and the year following was chosen to represent that county 
in the assembly, to which body he was returned in the years 
1814 — '15, and '17. While there, he was active in sustaining 
the course of Gov. T., who seconded the measures of the general 
government in prosecuting the war with England to a glorious 
termination. In 1819 he was elected a state senator, about which 
time he was appointed colonel of the 18th regiment of New- York 
infantry ; the duties of which latter office he is said to have dis- 
charged with becoming dignity and skill. Still in the senate in 
1821, where he was respected for his personal knowledge, he was 
chosen from that station by nearly the unanimous vote of both 
houses of 'the legislature, irrespective of party considerations, a 
member of the canal board, and was appointed to superintend an 
important portion of the Erie Canal then constructing. He was 
retained as canal commissioner for nineteen years, during which 
period most of our canals — public works of which our State may 
very justly be proud — were prosecuted to completion. 



628 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

In 1840, Mr. Bouck was the democratic candidate for the office 
of Governor, and in 1842, having been again nominated, he was 
elected by a large majority.* 

Col. Joseph Bouck, brother of the late governor, has once been 
a member of Congress. 

Mr. Abraham Keyser, formerly sherifFof Schoharie county.and 
for many years treasurer of the state, — the duties of which office he 
discharged most satisfactorily — was also a native of this town, his 
ancestors being amono- the earliest German settlers. 

Jefferson, erected from Blenheim in 1803, is 20 miles south- 
west of the county seat, and 53 from Albany. Population 2,033. 
Its inhabitants — who are mostly descended from New England 
parentage — are extensively engaged in the dairy business. It has 

2 post-offices, Jefferson and Mjssville, and 5 churches, 3 Metho- 
dist, 1 Baptist, and 1 Presbyterian. The Delaware river rises in 
this town. Jefferson .Academy, incorporated at an extra legisla- 
tive session in 1834, is pleasantly located in the village of Jeffer- 
son. 

MmDLEBURGH is Centrally distant from the court-house 5 miles, 
and from Albany 38. It is bounded north by Schoharie, east by 
Albany county, south by Broome and Blenheim, and west by Ful- 
ton and Cobelskill. Population 3.841. In this town there are 

3 post-offices, — Middlehurgh, Franklinton, and Hunters Land, — 
and 6 churches, — 1 Lutheran, 1 Presbyterian, 2 Methodist, 1 
Quaker, and 1 Independent Presbyterian or Bellingerite. 

There is in the south part of Middlehurgh a place called the 
Vlaie — a German word, signifying a marsh or swamp. The 
place was known as a black-ash swamp, nearly a mile in length 
and covering many acres, when it obtained the name. It is on 

* Many a W(jrd spoken in jest becomes prophetic. About the ye^v 1820, 
an honest farmer living on Fox creek, held a conversation with a friend of 
ours, in which Mr. Bouck was mentioned. Of the latter gentleman the for- 
mer thus remarked : " Depend upon it that man will yet be governor of this 
state ; for instead of going i-ound a hill as other men do to see what is on the 
opposite side, he looks rigid througli it." This casual remark was made at a 
time, when his excellency's intimate friends did not anticipate for him a seat 
in the gubernatorial chair of slate. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 631 

the summit level of the Canajoharie and Catskill rail-road route, 
though by no means on the summit of the grounds in that neigh- 
borhood ; for the mountain towers above it on both sides. The 
Vlaie is situated in a gorge of the mountain, where the sun, at 
some seasons of the year, sets to the traveler before noon. From 
the Vlaie issue two streams of water, and what is very remarka- 
ble, the one from the north end runs northerly, and, forming the 
Little Schoharie kill, runs into the Schoharie at the lower end of 
dauver-wy ; while the one from the south end runs southerly, 
making the head waters of the Catskill. Dams have been erect- 
ed at both these outlets, and good mill privileges thus obtained. 
A considerable share of the Vlaie was thus covered with water, 
and fish having been put into it by the owners, it affords at the 
present day fine sport for the angler, especially if he is an adept 
in the art of trolling for pickerel. The name Vlaie now attaches 
to the pond, which is fed by innumerable never faiUng springs. 
This is in truth a remarkable spot. An artificial dam of sufficient 
strength thrown across each end of the gap, would raise a lake of 
an hundred or more feet in depth. The county buildings for the 
accommodation of paupers, are pleasantly situated on the west 
side of the river in this town. 

Schoharie, now the largest and wealthiest township in the 
county, was incorporated March 7th, 1788, as part of Albany 
county, and is bounded north by Montgomery county, east by 
Schenectada and Albany counties, south by Middleburgh, and west 
by Carlisle and Cobelskill. The pubUc buildings, which are con- 
structed of stone, are situated at a village* on the river flats, 
bearing the name of the town, in its south-west part ; distant 
from Albany 33 miles ; from Schenectada 22 ; and from Catskill 

*For a view of Schoharie village see frontispice. 

Description of plate. In the righthand of the picture is seen the Academy, 
erected and incorporated in 1835. At the foot of the street in the foreground 
is the new Methodist church. Farther to the left is seen the Lutheran church 
and steeple of the Dutch church, between which is the court-house. The 
public buildings, except the court-house and clerk's office, are of brick ; the 
two latter of stone. The front of the court-house was fitted up with a pi- 
azza and columns in 1844. 



632 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

48. This town, like Middleburgh, contains mountainous eleva- 
tions and broad, fertile interval lands, and was first settled by 
Germans in 1711. Population 5,532. It has 6 villages, each 
with a posl-qfflce, viz — Schoharie Court House, Esperance, Sloans- 
ville, Gallupville, Central Bridge and Waldensville. The ancient 
stone church, fortified in the Revolution, is still standing, one mile 
north of the court-house. 

Esperance, the only incorporated village in the county, is situ- 
ated in the north-east corner of the town, 8 miles distant from 
the court-house, and 25 from Albany. It is pleasantly situated on 
the north side of the river, and has a Presbyterian and Methodist 
church, the former of which is a stone edifice, constructed of red 
sand-stone, from its vicinity, and a classic school. A bridge 
across the river separates this place from the town of Duanes- 
burg, called formerly The State Bridge. This was the second 
covered bridge erected in the state, the first being built over the 
Hudson, at] Waterford. 

Sloansville, 4 miles west of Esperance (also on the turnpike), 
and 7 north of the court-house, contains 2 Baptist churches. An 
Indian foot-path, leading from Schoharie to Fort Hunter, passed 
near Sloansville, a large mound of stones, which had been reared 
by the Indians long before the whites settled this part of the state. 
A title to the adjoining lands was called the Stone Heap Patent. 
Tradition says that two Mohawk hunters were passing this place — 
a quarrel arose between them — one murdered the other — and his 
fellows, to commemorate the event, erected a pile of stones upon 
the spot. A custom of their nation required every warrior tra- 
veling that path, to appease the departed spirit by adding a stone 
to the heap, and thus it grew to one of enormous dimensions. 
Not many years ago the land on which it stood was owned by an 
individual who cared little for the sacred altars of the red man, 
and the long accumulating record of homicide was converted by 
him into stone wall, to the unfeigned regret of pious antiquarians. 
The route pursued by Sir John Johnson and his army, from Scho- 
harie to the Mohawk, in October, 1780, led directly past this 
monumental pile. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 633 

Gallupville, a hamlet romantically situated on Foxes creek, 5 
miles from the court-house, has a Reformed Butch church and 
classic school. This place is located on the stage road leading 
from Schoharie to Albany. 

Central BRmoE, 5 miles northwest from the court-house, is a 
small hamlet of recent growth, with a Lutheran church, erected 
in 1844. At this place a bridge crosses the river, called Central 
Bridge, from its being nearly equidistant from the Esperance and 
Schoharie bridges. 

Waldensville, on Foxes creek in the northeast part of the town, 
IS an unimportant hamlet, with an axe factory, several work- 
shops, &c. 

A small church owned by the Methodist persuasion at Punch 
Kill, stands within the limits of this town. 

Gebhard^s Cavern, (called formerly Ball's Cave,) ranks conspi- 
cuously among the natural curiosities of the county. I have chosen 
to call it after John Gebhard, jun. Esq., its present proprietor; a 
gentleman who has done much to advance the science of geology 
— particularly that branch now denominated palaeontology. This 
cavern is situated upon an elevation called Barton hill, its en- 
trance being in a piece of woods nearly four miles east of the 
court-house. It was first partially explored in September, 1831. 
On the 21st of October of the same year, Doctor Joel Foster, Mr. 
John S. Bonny, John Gebhard, Esq., and several other citizens 
of Schoharie, having prepared a boat, again visited this cavern, 
and being let down by ropes with their skiff, they pretty thoroughly 
explored it. Its entrance, which is funnel shaped, is some 12 feet 
across, and when first visited was literally covered with fallen 
timber, a part of which had been cast into the aperture to prevent 
domestic animals from falling in. 

This cavern is situated in the midst of a forest, and ingress to 
its dark chambers is down a natural chimney of 70 feet depth, 
through massive lime rock, with nearly perpendicular sides. The 
chimney is now supplied with a substantial ladder, the foot of 
which rests upon timber and earth, which have accumulated in 
the lapse of time to several feet in depth. From the foot of the 



634 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

ladder, the principal direction of the cavern is southwest ; and the 
visiter after descending some 30 feet more by a craggy footing 
and a second ladder, arrives at a passage some 10 feet wide, and 
for a little distance not over three feet high. 

On the right of this passage, which is nearly SO feet long with 
an arch of nature's masonry, a stream of pure water issues from 
an opening three feet wide and fifteen inches high. A small boat 
having been constructed for the purpose and called after its pro- 
jector the Bonny Boat, Mr. Bonny in one of his early visits ex- 
plored this part of the cavern. In a recumbent posture he was 
pushed off in his tiny craft with torch in hand into the dark hole, 
which soon enlarged to respectable dimensions, so that he could 
stand up and propel it : this he did by taking hold of projections 
of the rock. He discovered nothing very peculiar in this passage, 
which led in a northerly course, except that its limpid water was 
obstructed by fourteen natural dams, in themselves a curiosity of 
no little interest. They were located where the passage was 8 
or 10 feet wide and about as high, with a depth of water between 
them ranging from 10 to 30 feet ; and consisted of tufaceous for- 
mations resembling sections of a circle, the curve in each dam 
being towards the outlet of the lake, or sluggish stream. Those 
dams, which rose several inches above the level of the water be- 
low them, and over which the stream gently rippled, were about 
four inches in thickness on the top, upon which the fearless navi- 
gator had to stand astride his boat, and push it into the lake up- 
on its opposite side. 

This part of the cavern, which has been denominated passage 
of the dams, terminates in a large room nearly fifty feet square, 
the walls of which are graywacke, and hang in threatening con- 
fusion on every side. As the characteristic rock of the mountain 
is here changed, it affords the visitor no geological specimens of 
interest ; and as this passage is explored with much hazard, few 
will ever see it. The last time Mr. Bonny visited the dams, (in 
1835,) the writer launched his craft and awaited with anxiety, 
at the entrance, his return. Mr. B. then gave this part of the ca- 
vern a satisfactory examination, and observed that many frag- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 635 

merits of rock had fallen in the square room since his first visit; 
and supposed that tons more might be dislodged by the discharge 
of a musket. He came near losing his balance while standing 
upon a dam and pushing over the then water-soaked boat, and on 
making his egress, expressed his gratitude for having, as he be- 
lieved, barely escaped a watery grave ; for had he lost his light, 
and with it his boat, he could hardly have found his way, by 
swimming in such cold water nearly one quarter of a mile to the 
place of entrance. 

On the south side of the main passage leading from the en- 
trance, at a little distance from Ihe outlet of the lake, obstructed 
by dams, is an opening scarcely large enough to admit a grown 
person, which leads into a room some ten feet in diameter, called 
the Fox room ; its early visitors having found within it animal 
bones, supposed to have been those of a fox. The sound of ham- 
mer strokes upon the wall or floor of this room give evidence of 
a cavity beyond, into which a passage could easily be opened 
with proper implements. 

Following the rippling stream in the main passage, it leads to 
the shore of a lake nearly 400 feet in length. This sheet of 
transparent water, buried about 100 feet beneath the earth's sur- 
face, and on which the zephyr bre ze has never cast a ripple, is, 
with two or three exceptions, not over 8 or 10 feet wide, averag- 
ing in depth from 6 to 30 feet. In some places, the arched lime- 
rock rises above the head of the young mariner 20 or 30 feet, 
while in others he is compelled to adopt Franklin's maxim, and 
stoop to avoid a thump. 

The lake terminates at its southwest end in an enlargement of 
the passage, and climbing up a steep ascent of 10 or 12 feet, a 
small aperture leads into a spacious room called from its circular 
form, the rotunda. This room is 315 feet in circumference, with 
a vaulted roof and concave floor, separated in the centre by a 
space of some 40 feet. A single candle reflects but a sickly light 
in this dungeon of nature, but the writer once visited it when 
some thirty other individuals were there on the same errand, and 
the light of thirty torches discovered the magniticence of the 



636 HISTORY OF sciioharie county, 

apartment. The only living inhabitants of this cavern are bats, 
which hang suspended to each other from the walls, by bringing 
into requisition the little hooks on their wings, and resemble bees 
at rest in a hive. Trout would, no doubt, live in the cold, clear 
waters of this everlasting dungeon. 

From the rotunda is a low narrow passage running in a south- 
cast direction several hundred feet, in no part of which can the 
visitant stand upright. On the north side of the rotunda, an 
opening leads into a small room denominated, from musical sounds 
sometimes heard in it, the Music Saloon. A few years ago this 
cavern was purchased by John Gebhard, jr. and Mr. Bonny, 
who opened a passage in the clay and sand which constitute the 
floors, from the music room into several other small apartments in 
that vicinity ; and it is highly probable that similar excavations 
would disclose other hidden recesses. In fact, a few hours' labor 
would doubtless open a passage through the floor in one part of 
the rotunda, beneath which the outlet of the lake can be heard 
descending to a lower level, and thus disclose to the visitor new 
attractions — new wonders. 

Tons of rare minerals have been removed from the several 
rooms of this cavern, to adorn the cabinets of practical geolo- 
gists. Stalactites and stalagmites, of semi-transparent alahasler, 
white as Alpine snow, and of every seeming variety of shape, 
have been taken from this laboratory. Minerals depending from 
the ceilings, or attached to the walls and floors, were removed by 
the early visitors, but many of the richest specimens have been 
discovered at a later period, by digging in the earthy floors. 
Some of the slabs of alabaster, which have been formed in the 
lapse of ages by the percolation of water through the fissures of 
lime-rock, and its escape by gaseous exhalation, thus leaving its 
imbibed sedimentary deposit of carbonate of lime on the floors of 
this cavern, are found to contain geodes filled with beautiful Jlos- 
feri, or thread-like crystals. The satin spar is only rivalled by 
that of Derbyshire, England, while the brown calcarious spars and 
arragonite are rarely equalled in beauty by those of any other 
cavern. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 637 

A specimen weighing several hundred pounds now adorns the 
valuable cabinet of John Gebhard, Esq., which was removed by 
immense labor from the music saloon, and drawn to the surface 
by a windlass. It is a mass of pure white alabaster, which has 
incorporated in its formation several stalagmites, and projecting 
from a part of which are forty-one distinct stalactites of various 
sizes, pointing, like so many magnets, to the centre of all gravity. 
Another specimen which was excavated in this part of the cav- 
ern, deserves especial notice. It is a female bust, or rather breast, 
of purest alabaster; the contour is French, and approximates sur- 
prisingly to nature, on which account it is one of the most valua- 
ble of all stalagmitic formations — for it is a form which may be 
admired without the fear of its imbibing false pride, or blushing 
at the exposure of its own charming 'proportions. 

Gebhard's cavern has a merited celebrity on account of its se- 
cluded locality, its limpid lakes, its rotunda, its salubrious atmo- 
sphere, and the immense quantity of beautiful minerals it has af- 
forded the admirer of Nature's handiwork ; not a few of which, 
for their snowy whiteness, are scarcely equalled by those of any 
other cavern in this country; and it will continue to have nume- 
rous visiters, although other caves, darlc and deep, may become 
justly celebrated in its neighborhood. For as a previous writer 
observes — " The novelty of navigating a crystal lake by torch 
light, beneath an arch of massive rock, at the distance of some 
hundred feet from the surface of the earth — the breathless excite- 
ment resulting from the real and imaginary dangers of the enter- 
prise, &c., are themselves sufficient to render this cavern a place 
of frequent and interesting resort." 

Several females have explored it, the first of whom was Miss 
Wayland, a spirited and intelligent young lady from New York 
city. The interior of all caverns is ever damp — ever dirty ; and 
those who would visit this or any other, and explore its or their 
extent, must go provided with a suit of once rejected apparel : in 
other words, they must increase the novelty of their visit by gaz- 
ing on carious objects in the most ludicrous figure they can possi- 
bly present — which is that of disguising their persons in the cast- 

41 



638 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

off clothing of somebody's grand-parents. Col. Stone, speaking 
of Miss Wayland's preparation to enter this cavern, said " she. 
had prepared herself at the village with a garb which would have 
appeared well in the beggar's opera." 

A clever romance of the Mohawk, written a few years since 
hy Hoilman, and given the name of Greycelaer, (a name which 
sounds too much like that of certain tory leaders, mentioned in this 
volume, to please the writer,) locates some scenes of it in this ca- 
vern, to which he applies the very pretty Indian name of Wane- 
onda. It is not probable, however, that any Indian ever entered, 
noticed, or named it. The charming Alida de Roos, its heroine, 
the reader may almost fancy personified in the person of Miss 
Wayland, who is doubtless quite as pretty. 

Otsgaragee Cavern, known in its vicinity as Howe's cave, and 
called by G. F. Yates, Esq., (an antiquarian and naturalist, who 
was one of its earliest visiters, and first to describe it). The 
Great Gallery Cave, is situated on the farm of Henry Wetsel, 
in the extreme northwest corner of this town, about three and a 
half miles from Central Bridge, and five from the Court House. 
It was first explored by Lester Howe, its present proprietor, in the 
month of May, 1842. The entrance is in the side of a mountain 
ridge of limestone, on the west side of the Cobelskill, not far dis- 
tant from, but elevated some fifty feet above that stream. From 
the entrance, which is very easy of access, its principal direction 
is nearly west, leading off under the town of Cobelskill. 

A visit to several spacious rooms in this cave, is made with com- 
parative ease, and little or no danger ; one of which, situated some 
distance from the entrance, is very properly called the Chapel^ in 
a published notice of it. This apartment, which crosses the prin- 
cipal direction of the passage, somewhat resembles in shape the 
hull of a ship bottom upwards, in an inclined position, the floor at 
one end being elevated above the other, and is some sixty or sev- 
enty feet in length by about twenty in breadth, with a vaulted 
roof separated from the floor by a space of twenty or thirty feet. 
Near the upper end of this room is a stalactite which will weigh 
several hundred pounds, and beneath it a stalagmite of corres- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 639 

ponding dimensions. They are ash-colored, of interesting form, 
and far more valuable where they are, than they would be in any 
other place, as they may, in fancy, be considered the desk of the 
Chapel. 

From the room just described, the visitor, whose curiosity leads 
him farther, is obliged to pass through a place called the tunnel, 
nearly two hundred feet in length, so contracted as to compel him 
either to creep on all fours, or prostrate, and worm himself along 
upon a plank placed for his convenience, where the cavities 
of the floor are filled with water, which plank are of course con- 
stantly wet. Threading this passage, in some parts of which he 
cannot turn round if he would, the visitor will feel awe-stricken, 
and, if he never has before, will realize to some extent the con- 
sciousness of his own weakness and ability of 

That Spirit-power the earth we tread now quakes, 
And closing old, new mountain-caverns makes; 

Which bids the clouds send down their timely rain, 
And whistling winds go drink it up again. 

This narrow passage conducts into a room in which a boat is re- 
quired to cross a small sheet of limpid water, which is thirty feet 
long, twenty wide, and ten deep, over which Charon ferries his 
friends. 

From the lake the main passage of the cavern extends a 
great distance, much of the way following the meanderings of a 
brook, the passage being sufficiently large to permit visitors to 
proceed with no other inconvenience than their exposure to wet 
feet. Several extensive rooms are met with in the back part of 
the cavern, which contain formations of a novel character ; and 
in one of its secret passages is heard the thundering of a cataract, 
where a stream of water dashes down unobserved into caverns far 
below. The passages of this cavern, large and small, extend 
several miles from its entrance, and disclose to the visitor many 
interesting peculiarities ; and that persons may not travel great 
distances to visit it and go home disappointed, as several have, 
who expected to explore " The rival of the Mammoth Cave in 
Kentucky,''* I am constrained to observe that several accounts have 



640 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

exaggerated its true picture. To say nothing of a lake within it, 
in which subsist fish that have no visible organs of sight, " The 
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky," says James K. Paulding, "is the 
largest cavern in the known world, having either thirty or thirty- 
two avenues radiating from the area within the entrance, each 
one extending to the distance of ten miles under the earth. A 
man, therefore, in going and returning through these avenues, 
would cover a distance of upvMrds of six hundred miles.'^ There 
are acres of ground in single rooms in this great cavern, while 
much of the Schoharie cave under consideration, consists in nar- 
row passages, not to be explored without some difficulty, and the 
hazard of receiving a sponged coat and muddy boots. 

Far inland, this cave abounds in mineral deposits, peculiar to 
caverns in limestone, such as calcarious spar, arragonite of vari- 
ous colors, and alabaster in stalactical and other forms ; few of 
which as yet taken out will compare, however, in pearly and 
snowy whiteness, with similar formations found in Gebhard's 
Cave. Some of the dangerous looking holes in Cobelskill and 
Carlisle, may possibly be found to communicate with Howe^s Ca- 
vern. The proprietor is making praiseworthy efforts to open a 
passage round the tunnel to the lake, which, if successful, will ob- 
viate the greatest difficulty now met with in satisfactorily explor- 
ing this cave, and it will then be visited by numerous guests. 

A^'ehtaway^s Cave, situated on the farm of Peter Nethaway, 
two miles south-west of the court-house, was explored in 1836 
by John Gebhard Esq., and Mr. Bonny. It afforded nothing 
worth removing, save a few choice cabinet specimens of colored 
rhombohedral spar, which resembles the most inviting maple 
sugar. 

In addition to the rich minerals found in its caverns, this town 
affords several others of beauty and interest. Sulphate of stron- 
tian, an exceedingly rare mineral, is found in two localities : one 
in a vein between layers of rock at the Karighondontee moun- 
tain, about three miles northwest, and another one-fourth of a 
mile southeast of the court-house. TL's mineral receives a fine 
polish, and resembles marble in its t:pi)ciuance, but is easily de- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK« 641 

termined by its specific gravity, which is much heavier than that 
of marble. Carbonate of strontian, almost as rare a mineral, is 
also found at the last mentioned locality. 

A mine of iron pyrites, to appearance exhaustless, is situated 
on the west bank of the river, one mile southwest of the court- 
house. Some of its crystalizations are very beautiful ; but the 
mineral is of no great value. A German chemist, named John 
Casper Staudt, is said to have made small quantities of copperas 
at this place during the Revolution. In fact, he acquired the repu- 
tation of making contraband coppers also, which are said to have 
passed more currently than continental paper. 

On the south bank of Foxes creek, one mile east of the court- 
house, is a locality of clay-stones. They are small, regular forma- 
tions of indurated clay, and present the appearance of having been 
turned in a lathe. They are washed out at every freshet from a 
steep bank, at a depth of at least ten feet below the surface. 
They are valueless, but in themselves a matter of no little curiosity. 

Fluate of lime or Jluor spar, is found in small quantities in 
seams of the lime-rock, half a mile southeast of the court-house. 
In its vicinity also occurs a strata of water limestone, which Pro- 
fessor Beck analyzed with the following result : 

Carbonate of Lime,. 56.25 

Carbonate of Magnesia, 30.75 

Silica and Alumina, ,....11.50 

Oxide of Iron, 1-50 

100.000 
Calcarious tufa is found in several localities along the west 
side of the river. In it are beautiful specimens of fossil moss ; 
the incrustations of limy matter being so delicate as to preserve 
every fibre of the once living moss ; while other portions, finding the 
former bed a fertilizer, grow upon its top, presenting the pheno- 
mena of white and green in the same cluster. A specimen ana- 
lyzed by Professor Beck, gave the following result : 

Carbonate of Lime 97.25 

Organic matter, 1 95 

Silica,.... 80 

100.000 



642 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

On the walls of the old stone church, are cut the names of 
most of the individuals who aided in its erection. In the grave- 
yard near it is the following monumental inscription : 

" In memory of Col. Peter Vrooman, who departed this life De- 
cember 29th, 1793, aged fifty-seven vears, nine months, and nine 
days." 

Sewakd, erected from Sharon February 11th, 1840, is distant 
from the Court House 15 miles, and from Albany 48. It is bound- 
ed north by Sharon, east by Cobelskill, south and west by Otsego 
county ; and was named after His Excellency, William H. Sew- 
ard, then Governor of the State. This town has 4 churches — 1 
Methodist, 2 Lutheran, and 1 Baptist ; and 2 post offices, called 
Hyndsville, and Gardnersville. 

The local settlement called New Dorlach^ after a town in Ger- 
many from whence its citizens came, was made in this town in 
1754, by Sebastian France, Michael Merckley, Henry Hynds, and 
Ernest Fretz, who landed at New York in the fall of 1753, pro- 
ceeded to Albany in the winter, and the following spring began 
their pioneer residence. These settlers had part of their early 
milling done at Schenectada. 

The north part of Seward has a supply of limestone. A spur 
of the Catsbergs runs along the south side of West creek. On 
the north side of that stream, situated between Hyndsville and 
Lawyerville, is a hill, called on the early maps by the Indian name 
of Gogng-ta-nee. The following inscription may be seen in the 
burying ground of the Methodist Church, near Hyndsville : 

" In memory of Horace Handy, who died Sept. 11, 1834, in the 
22d year of his age. H. H. was a graduate of Union College, a 
member and benefactor of the Adelphi Society, by whose order 
this was erected." 

Sharon, centrally distant northwest from the Court House 18 
miles, and from Albany 45, is bounded north by Montgomery 
county, east by Carlisle, south by Seward, and west by Otsego 
county. This town was so called after Sharon in Connecticut. 
Being underlaid with limestone, it has numerous caverns, few, 
if any of which, have yet been explored. The rock contains 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 643 

numerous fossils, among which I have procured good specimens 
of branch coral. Sharon has 4 post offices — Sharon, Leesville, 
Argusville, and Sharon Centre (the last mentioned being nearest 
the Sharon Springs); and 4 churches — ] Reformed Dutch, 1 Me- 
thodist, 1 Baptist, and 1 owned by the Lutherans and Baptists. 

In a ravine nearly a mile north of the turnpike, two miles from 
the Sharon Centre post office, and about the same distance from 
Leesville, are the Sharon Sulphur Springs — mineral waters — said 
to be similar in properties to the celebrated springs of Virginia. 
The principal spring boils up from the bed of a small brook, dis- 
charging a column of water which must ever supply an abundance 
for medicinal purposes. 

An analysis, made by Dr. Chilton, of New York, of water from 
this spring, gives the following result : 

Grains. 

Sulphale of Mas;nesia, - 42.40 

do Lime. ■ 111.62 

Chloride of Sodium, 2.24 

do Magnesium, 2.40 

Hydro-sulphuret of Sodium, \ _ 9 28 

do Calcium, \ 

Tola! numiber of grains, 160.94 
Sulphuretted Hydrogen Gas, 16 cubic inches. 

Besides this, there are several smaller springs of like efficacy 
near, and, as stated by Dr. Beck, a chalybeate spring in the same 
neighborhood. The waters of the first mentioned spring are high- 
ly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen — indeed, to such a de- 
gree as to tarnish silver, even in the pocket of the visiter. There 
is a pretty cascade, about a quarter of a mile distant from the 
shower house, to lure the lover of romance, while around the 
springs, fossil leaves and moss are easily obtained in great perfec- 
tion by geologists. 

Anhydrous sulphate of lime, an exceedingly rare mineral, is 
found in a little cave near the principal spring at this place. It is 
a remarkable fact, that while crystals are decomposing on one 
side of a mass of this mineral, they are often forming on the op- 
posite side. 



644 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 



The waters of the Sharon Springs have obtahied great celeb- 
rity for the last twenty years, for their beneficial effects on rheu- 
matic, cutaneous, and other diseases ; and a pubUc house was long 
since erected near the principal spring. The Pavilion, a magni- 
ficent hotel, reared by a company of gentlemen from New York, 
in 1836, on an adjoining eminence, for the better accommodation 
of visiters, is now fitted up in elegant style, and under the direc- 
tion of its present proprietors, Messrs. Gardner & Landon, is well 










SHARON SPRINGS PAVILION, 
patronized by invalids, Vv'ho would know the efficacy of the mine- 
ral waters, and fashionable tourists, who would seek a summer re- 
sidence where novel and picturesque scenery, and a most salubri- 
ous atmosphere cannot fail to invite them. 

The Pavilion is situated on the borders of Schoharie, Montgo- 
mery, and Otsego counties, about 45 miles west from Alba- 
ny, 20 northwest from Schoharie Court House, and 8 east from 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 645 

Cherry Valley. Visitors who would approach the Springs from 
the valley of the Mohawk, will find carriages running daily, in 
the summer season, from Canajoharie, nine miles distant, for their 
accommodation. 

Summit,* erected April 13, 1819, from Cobelskill and Jefferson, 
is distant southwest from the Court House 20 miles, from Albany 
50, and from Catskill 55. It is bounded north by Cobelskill, east 
by Fulton, south by Jefferson and Delaware county, and west by 
Otsego county. It began to be settled about ten years after the 
close of the Revolution, by men from New England, whose de- 
scendants are engaged in the dairy business. Population 2,009. 
The prevailing rock is slate. Summit has 7 churches — 3 Metho- 
dist, 2 Baptist, 1 Lutheran, and 1 Christian ; and 2 post offices — 
Summit 4 Corners and CJiarlotteville. Summit Pond, a small, 
placid sheet of water, near the corners in this town, covers some 
sixty acres of land. — /. W, Baird. 

*0n the borders of this town is a small lake, hearing the soft Indian name 
Ut-say-an-iho. It is known in the neighborhood as Jack's lake, so called af- 
ter the late John A. Hudson, who owned lands around it — Jack being our na- 
tional vulgaritj' for John. This sheet of water, which affords one of the sour- 
ces of the Susquehanna, owes its poetic name, as tradition says, to the follow- 
ing circumstance : Ulsayantho, a beautiful Indian maiden, gave birth to an 
illegitimate child on its romantic shore, and a council of chiefs having been 
called to deliberate on its fate, they decided to drown it in the lake, and did 
so ; since which it has been known by the name of the unhappy mother. — E. 
B, Bigelow, Jr, 



( 646 ) 



CHAPTER XXI. 



While water is running from mountain to plain, 
And our star-spangled banner floats over the main ', 
When myrtle and laurel in green life are drest, 
We '11 cherish thy mem'ry, brave captors at rest. 

But the acts of a knave, a traitor — ingrate, 

Must kindle forever our deadliest hate ; 

Shall invoke through all time, base Arnold, on thee, 

The v?ithering curse of the virtuous and free. 

To R. W, Murphy, Esq. of Preston Hollow, a nephew of Da- 
vid Williams, would the author acknowledge his indebtedness for 
several interesting incidents in the life of the latter. 

The captor Williams was a son of After and Phehe Williams, 
who emigrated from Holland in early life; They were poor but 
reputable : he died near the close of the Revolution, and the 
widow died at the residence of her son David, in 1795. The fol- 
lowing biography of David Williams appeared in the Albany 
Daily Advertiser in January preceding his death, said to have 
been dictated by himself. 

" I was born in Tarrytown, then called Philips' Manor, West- 
chester county, New-York, October 21st, 1754. I entered the 
army in 1775, at the age of 21, and Avas under Gen. Montgomery 
at the siege of Fort St. Johns, and afterwards onboard the fiat bot- 
tomed boats to carry provisions, &c.; served out my time which 
was six months. I then went, listed again in the spring of 1776, 
and continued in tlie service by different enlistments as a New- 
York militiaman until 1779. 

In 1778, when in Capt. Acker's company of New- York militia 
at Tarrytown, I asked his permission to take a walk in company 
with William Van Wart, a boy sixteen or seventeen j'ears old. I 
proceeded to the cross-roads on Tompkins' ridge, stood looking a 
few minutes, saw five men coming, they had arms ; we jumped 



HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, ETC. 647 

over a stone fence and concealed ourselves in a corner of it ; ob- 
served that they were armed with two muskets and three pistols. 
They came so nigh that we recognised two of them, viz. William 
Underhill and William Mosher, Avho were tories, and known to be 
of De Lancey's corps. When they came within proper distance, 
I said to my companion, ' Billy, neck or no joint !' I then said 
aloud, as if speaking to a number, with the view of intimidating 
them, ' men make ready /' They stopped immediately ; I told them 
to ground their arms, which they did ; I then said, ' march away ;' 
they did so ; I then jumped over the fence, secured their arms, 
and made them march before us to our quarters. I continued in 
the service until a week or ten days before the year 1780. In De- 
cember, 1779, Captain Daniel Williams, who was commander of 
our company, mounted us on horses and we went to Morrisiana, 
Westchester county. We swept all Morrisiana clear ; took proba- 
bly $5,000 worth of property, returned to Tarrytown, and quar- 
tered at Young's house. My feet being frozen, my uncle Martinus 
Van Wart took me to his house. I told Capt. Williams that the 
enemy would soon be at Young's, and that if he remained there 
he would be on his way to Morrisiana before morning. He paid 
no attention to my remarks — he did not believe me ; but in the 
course of the night a woman came to my uncle's crying ' Uncle 
Martinus ! Uncle Martinus !' The truth was the British had sur- 
rounded Young's house, made prisoners of all the company except 
two, and burnt the barn. 

" Having got well of my frozen feet, on the third of June, 1780, 
we were all driven from Tarrytown to the upper part of Westches- 
ter county, in the town of Salem. We belonged to no organised 
company at all ; were under no command, and worked for our 
board ox joh7iny-cahe. Isaac Van Wart, who was a cousin of mine, 
[the father of Williams and mother of Van Wart were brother and 
sister,] Nicholas Storms and myself went to Tarrytown on a visit ; 
we carried our muskets with us, and on our way took a Quaker 
who said he was going to New-York after salt and other things. 
The Quaker was taken before the American authority and ac- 
quitted. 

" In July or August a number of persons of whom I was one, 
went on a visit to our friends in Tarrytown, and while on the way 
took ten head of cattle which some refugees were driving to New- 
York, and on examination before the authority, the cattle were 
restored to their right owners, as they pleaded innocence saying 
they were stolen from them. I then returned to Salem and worked 
with a Mr. Benedict for my board until the 22d of September. It 
was about one o'clock, P. M., as I was standing in the door with 
Mr. Benedict's daughter, (who was afterwards my wife), when I 
saw six men coming; she remarked ' they have got guns.' I 
jumped over a board fence and met them. ' Boys,' said I, ' where 
are you going!' they answered ' we are going to Tarrytown.' I 
then said ' if you will wait until I get my gun I will go with you.' 



648 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

The names of the six persons were Isaac Van Wart, John Pauld- 
ing, William Williams, John Yerks, and James Romer ; the name 
of the sixth I have forgotten. We proceeded about fifteen miles 
that night, and slept in a hay barrack. In the morning we crossed 
Buttermilk hill, when John Paulding proposed to go to Isaac 
Eeed's and get a pack of cards to divert ourselves with. After 
procuring them we went out to Davis' hill, where we separated ; 
leaving four on the hill, and three, viz. Van Wart, Paulding and 
myself proceeded on the Tarrytown road about one mile and con- 
cealed ourselves in the bushes on the west side of the road, and 
commenced playing cards three handed, that is each one for him- 
self. We had not been playing more than an hour, when we heard 
a horse galloping across a bridge but a few yards from us ; which 
of us spoke I do not remember, but one of us said, ' there come as 
trader going to New-York.' We stepped out from our concealment 
and stopped him. ' My lads,' said he, ' I hope you belong to our 
party.' We asked him ' what party?' he replied ' the lower 
party.' We told him ' we did,' He then said ' I am a British 
officer, have been up the country on particular business, and would 
not wish to be detained a minute,' and as a token to convince us 
he was a gentleman, he pulled out and shewed us his gold watch; 
we then told him we were Americans. ' God bless my soul,' said 
he, ' a man must do any thing these times to get along ;' and then 
shewed us Arnold's pass. We told him it would not satisfy us 
without searching him. ' My lads,' said he, ' you will bring your- 
selves into trouble.' We answered, we did not fear it,' and con- 
ducted him about seventy rods into the woods. My comrades 
appointed me to search him ; commencing with his hat, I searched 
his person effectually, but found nothing until I pulled off his boot, 
when we discovered that something was concealed in his stocking. 
Paulding caught hold of his foot and exclaimed, ' By G-d here it 
is !' I pulled off his stocking, and inside of it next to the sole of his 
foot, found three half sheets of paper enclosed in another half sheet 
which was endorsed ' West Point ;' and on pulling off the other 
boot and stocking, I found three like papers, enclosed and endorsed 
as the others. On reading them one of my companions said, ' By 
G-d he is a spy /' We then asked him where he got those papers: 
he told us ' of a man at Pine's bridge,' but he said ' he did not 
know his name.' He offered us his gold watch, his horse, saddle, 
bridle and 100 guineas if we Avould let him go ; we told him ' no, 
unless he would inform us where he got the papers.' He answered 
us as before, but increased his offer to 1000 guineas, his horse, &c.: 
we told him again we would not let him go ; he then said ' gen- 
tlemen, I will give you 10,000 guineas [nearly $50,000], and as 
many dry goods as you will ask ; conceal me in any place of safety 
while you can send to New-York with an order to Sir Henry Clin- 
ton from me, and the goods and money will be procured so that 
you can get them unmolested.' [Paulding then told him, as he 
stated on the trial of Joshua H. Smith a few days after the arrest,] 



AND BOEDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 649 

' no, by G-d, if you would give us ten thousand guineas you should 
not stir a step; we are Americans, and above corruption, and go 
with us you must.' We then took him about twelve miles to Col. 
Jamieson's quarters at North Castle." 

Andre was about five feet eight inches high, with black eyes, a 
bold military countenance, and was a good looking, though rather 
small, trim-built man. 

The father of David Williams was a farmer in Tarrytown at 
the beginning of the war, who, being too poor to purchase a farm, 
worked land upon shares. When the British and tories began to 
commit acts of cruelty in the vicinity, Williams removed with his 
family into the town of South Salem. He lived on lands belong- 
ing to Joseph Benedict Esq., near the village of Cross River. 
The Americans having possession of the country in the vicinity 
of West Point, and the British that above New York, tories about 
the neutral ground, from their acts of cruelty, such as murder, 
theft, rapine, and the like, received from the whigs the title of 
cow-boys. These despoilers of Whig property, whose visits were 
generally m.ade in the night, frequently drove off cattle, horses, 
swine, &c., to the British posts, where they were liberally re- 
warded for the stolen property of their neighbors. In conse- 
quence of the tories stealing so many cattle in the vicinity of the 
British army, they were called cow-hoys by the patriots, — a terra 
implying at that period the very lowest calling in life De Lancy's 
corps, which became a terror to well doers, from their being gene- 
rally mounted on horseback, was chiefly formed from cow-boys. 
On the removal of the Williams family to Cross River, David 
hired out to Mr. Benedict to work on his farm, and became so 
much of a favorite with the family, that, whenever he was not 
engaged in military service, he made the house of his employer 
his welcome-home. Mr. Benedict had a fair daughter named 
Nancy, and Cupid had so interwoven the affections of the young 
couple, it is not surprising that David found his tim.e pass 
agreeably at her father's. The whigs who encountered the cow- 
boys in their excursions into the country, were generally in the 
militia service on short inlistments, and as they had teen obliged 



650 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

in many instances to change their residences, they acquired the 
name of refugees, a title sometimes given the tories. The cow- 
boys were often overtaken or intercepted, and the plunder they 
had made taken from them by the refugees, almost within sight 
of the British camp. Not unfrequently the agressor's life was for- 
feited on these occasions, and now and then a conflict ensued, 
when the hfe-blood of friend and foe mingled together. 

In the fall of 1780, at a time when Williams was at the house 
of Mr. Benedict, enjoying an agreeable tete-a-tete with his Nancy, 
she pointed out to him a small company of armed men approach- 
ing their village. They entered an inn near by, and the lover, 
having recognized them, stole a parting kiss from his fair one, 
and hastened to join them. The names of the party are given in 
the preceding statement of Williams. The night before, a party 
of cow-boys had been into the adjoining town of Poundridge, led 
on by one Smith, a noted tory, and besides stealing much pro- 
perty, they had killed a neighbor to some of the whigs then con- 
vened, by the name of Pelham, who had run out in his night- 
clothes to save his horses. To reclaim the stolen property and 
return it to the widow, or avenge the death of her husband, was 
the especial object this scout of American militia had in view, 
when they set out for Tarrytovvn; true, some of them hoped also 
to see several relatives. 

Williams and his companions kept together until they reached 
Tarrytown, when they separated ; the former, with Paulding and 
his cousin Van Wart, taking the east road, and the other four the 
west road, leading to New York. At an angle of the road, Wil- 
liams and his associates concealed themseWes, obtaining a north 
and west view of it for some distance. The approach of Andre, 
his arrest, &c., is inserted as related by Williams. Meeting the 
three armed men below the American pickets, Andre took them to 
be cow-boys, and being thrown off his guard, his manner excited 
suspicion in his captors, and he was strictly searched. His 'pass 
from Arnold, which had protected " John Anderson'^ thus far, 
would protect John Andre no farther. While in the act of exhi- 
biting his pass, he stated that he " was going below on an ex- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 



651 



press from the head quarters of the American army at West Point, 
and here," he added, " is a pass from Gen. Arnold, who com- 
mands in the absence of Gen Washington." The -pass, which 
was dated Head Quarters, Robinson liouse, September 22d, 1780, 
required all persons to assist John Anderson, who was going to 
New York on business highly important to the American army, 
forbidding any person to stop or molest him at their peril. 
Knowing that Washington had gone to Hartford on business, af- 
ter the pass from Arnold was produced, his captors had nearly 
allowed him to proceed, and he was reinng his horse into the 

road, when Paulding in an under tone observed, " D n him, I 

do not like his looks ! " It is stated in the Life of Gen. Greene, 
who was president of the board which tried Andre, that when he 
first became visible to his captors he was engaged in examining a 
sketch of the route, to determine which of the several roads he 
ought to pursue. 




PLACE WHERE ANDRE WAS CAPTURED. 

At the expression of Paulding that he did not like his looks, 
he was again ordered to stop. One of the party enquired what 
he had done with the paper he had in his hands when he first ap- 
peared in sight. The question produced a momentary hesitation, 
and his embarrassment being noticed by the party, he was then 
told that the circumstances of his first avowino; himself to belong 



652 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

to the lower party — his having an undress British coat under his 
surtout, in connection with Arnold's pass — required their search- 
ing his person, to which he firmly renaonstrated, threatening them 
with the vengeance of Arnold for detaining him. Bui his threats 
were of no avail ; his manner increased their suspicions ; the 
love of liberty fired the patriotic heart, and leading his horse aside 
into a field partially covered with underwood, he was examined. 
His person was strictly searched — his hat, coat, vest, shirt and 
breeches — even his hair, which was done up in a cue,- the fashion 
of the day, was untied without creating any unusual anxiety in 
the prisoner, until he was ordered to take off his boots, when he 
changed color, and fear was manifested in his countenance. As 
he did not feel disposed to remove them, Williams, who had been 
selected by his companions to search him, while they retained their 
arms, drew them off, and inside his stockings, next his bare feet, 
the treasonable papers were found : in one boot was also discov- 
ered the sketch of the route. He had upon his person eighty 
dollars, continental money. Finding his true character disclosed, 
and being told that he was considered as a spy, Andre saw at once 
the danger of his situation, and attempted to regain his liberty by 
the offer of bribes, such as required Roman firmness — I should say 
American firmness, for Roman history exhibits no parallel — to 
resist. But the attempt was futile, evincing in his captors a love 
of liberty stronger than love of riches and virtue that kings might 
envy. 

While they were searching Andre, his horse had strayed some 
distance, grazing among the under-brush ; when the search was 
completed, one of them led up the horse and he was permitted to 
mount and ride between his captors, to the military post, com- 
manded by Lieut. Col. Jaraieson. At the examination of Andre 
at Tappan, and also at his trial at the same place, the captors 
were present. W'hile at West Point, the magnanimous Wash- 
ington took the three intrepid soldiers into the arsenal, and pre- 
sented each of them a sword and brace of pistols, telling them to 
go constantly armed — " that they would be hunted like partridges 
upon the mountains" — offering at the same time, that if they 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 653 

chose to remain in the army, he would give to each of them a 
captain's commission. They all declined promotion,' and returned 
to their friends ; and as Williams was, I have no doubt they all 
were narrowly watched by the tories. 

On one occasion, while at his father's, Williams came near be- 
ing taken. The house was surrounded in the night by a party of 
cow-boys, but their cowardice in making the attack was probably 
the only circumstance to which he owed his life. At another time 
Williams, having spent the evening with his intended, was return- 
ing home from her father's in the night, was waylaid in a by- 
place, and a man, stepping from his concealment, exclaimed, 

" Stand, you d d rebel! " Williams drew a pistol and fired 

upon his nocturnal intruder, who vacated the path and retreated 
into the bushes. The next day the course of his assailant could 
be traced some distance by the drops of blood. Thus one of the 
pistols presented by Washington prevented his falling into the 
hands of his enemiies, if it did not in fact save his life. 

The following singular coincidence is related at the particular 
request of the widow of David Williams, and may be relied up- 
on as strictly true. The father of David, a short time before the 
capture of Andre, had the following singular dream : He saw a 
crow alight in his path, having in its beak a folded paper. He 
was extremely anxious to obtain the paper, and see what it con- 
tained. For some time he followed after the bird, which would 
repeatedly fly up and again alight in his path. His anxiety to 
obtain the paper increasing, he threw his hat at the bird, which 
then dropped it. He snatched it up, and eagerly unfolding, found 
it a blank sheet of paper, containing in one end a piece of gold, 
and in the other a piece of silver. A few days after, he heard of 
Andre's arrest, and that his son was one of the captors. Divi- 
ners of dreams are at liberty to make out of this what they please. 
They can, if they choose, liken the bird to the dark spirit which 
was besetting the path of Andre ; the paper to the pass of Ar- 
nold ; the gold to the bribe offered by the prisoner for his release ; 
and the silver to the reward granted the captors by act of Congress. 

The following extract of a letter from Gen. Washington to the 

42 



654 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

president of Congress, dated " Robinson's house, in the Highlands, 
September 26, 1780," will show the manner in which that body 
was apprized of Arnold's treason and Andre's arrest : 

" I do not know the party that took Maj. Andre, but it is said 
that it consisted only of a few militia, who acted in such a manner 
upon the occasion as does them the highest honor, and proves them 
to be men of great virtue. As soon as I know their names I shall 
take pleasure in transmitting them to Congress." 

Washington communicated to the president of Congress the 
names of Andre's captors, as the following extract of a letter, da- 
ted " Paramus, October 7, 1780/' will show : 

"I have now the pleasure tocommunicate the names of the three 
persons who captured Maj. Andre, and who refused to release him, 
notwithstanding the most earnest importunities, and assurances of 
a liberal reward, on his part. The names are John Paulding^ Da- 
vid Williams, and Isaac Van Wart.^^ [They were presented to 
Gen. Washington by Col. Hamilton-.] 

The following is a resolution of Congress, adopted Nov. 3d, 

1780 : 

" Whereas Congress have received information that John Pauld- 
ing, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart, three young volunteer 
militiamen of the State of New York, did, on the 23d day of Sep- 
tember last, intercept Maj. John Andre, Adjutant General of the 
British Army, on his return from the American lines in the Char- 
acter of a Spy ; and notwithstanding the large bribes offered them 
for his release, nobly disdaining to sacrifice their Country for the 
sake of Gold, secured and conveyed him to the Commanding offi- 
cer of the district, whereby the dangerous and traitorous conspira- 
cy of Benedict Arnold was brought to light, the insidious designs 
of the Enemy baffled, and the United States secured from impend- 
ing danger : Resolved, That Congress have a high sense of the 
virtuous and patriotic conduct of the said John Paulding, David 
Williams and Isaac Van Wart: In testimony whereof, Ordered, 
That each of them receive annually, out of the Public Treasury, 
Tu-o Hundred Dollars in specie, or an equivalent in current money, 
of these States, during life, and that the Board of War procure 
for each of them a silver Medal, on one side of which shall be a 
shield with this inscription, "Fidelity" — and on the other the fol- 
lowing motto. " Vincit Amor Patrias" — and forward them to the 
Commander-in-Chief, who is requested to present the same, with 
a copy of this Resolution, and the thanks of Congress for their Fi- 
delity, and the eminent service they have rendered their Country." 

In addition to the medal and yearly annuity, Congress granted 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 655 

to each of the captors the privilege of locating any confiscated 
lands in the county of Westchester, to the value of $1250, or of 
receiving the said sum in cash, to be expended as they chose. 
About this time, Williams married Miss Benedict, who was sev- 
eral years younger than himself, and with the $1250 granted by 
Congress, bought a part of the farm owned by his father-in-law 
and settled upon it, erecting a log cabin to live in. 

The medal, which is now treasured as a sacred relic by Mrs. 
Wilhams, is about as large again as a silver dollar. On one side 
is represented the United States coat of arms, bearing the simple in- 
scription, " Fidelity.'" On the other side is inscribed the Latin sen- 
tence, " Vincit Amor Patrice"" — the love of country conquers. 
At the time of Andre's arrest, Williams was older than either of 
his comrades. It may be said of him, that h:s charity knew no 
bounds. He was liberal even to a fault ; and the sin of selfish- 
ness was one of the least for which he had to render a final ac- 
count. He was most esteemed and respected by those who knew 
him best, which is ever the surest test of merit. Naturally hon- 
est and confiding, he believed others to be so, and therefore was 
liable to be plundered by the knavish. He was by habit an ear- 
ly riser, and very industrious. His early education, like that of 
many others who fought under the stars of liberty, was limited ; 
but being fond of reading, he acquuired before his death a good 
fund of general information. He collected some valuable books 
which he repeatedly read through, and not only took a iiewspaper 
and paid for it, but he read its contents. In principle, he was a 
warm republican. Liberal in his religious views, he never was 
heard extolling one denomination and denouncing another ; and 
although he made no public profession of religion, he regularly 
attended divine worship when held in his neighborhood, frequent- 
ly opening his own house for that purpose. In the latter part of 
his life, he often read the scriptures aloud in his family, and not 
unfrequently he was seen or over-heard engaged in secret devo- 
tion. 

In the fall of 1830, the Corporation of the city of New York 
sent an invitation, by a special messenger, to Mr. Williams, to be 



656 HISTORY OP SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

present as a guest at the celebration of the French Revolution. 
He was, with Enoch Crosby, another hero of '76, and two others, 
drawn in an elegant carriage at the head of the procession, at- 
tracting much attention, as the writer well remembers. "While 
in the city, he visited with the mayor and other distinguished citi- 
zens, theatres, public schools, the navy yard, &c., at all of which 
he was a welcome guest. At one of the schools a silver cup was 
presented to him, and at another a silver headed cane, the stem of 
which was made from a part of a chevaux-de-frise, used near 
West Point in the Revolution. He was also presented while on 
this visit, with an elegant horse, carriage and harness by the 
mayor. 

Mr. Williams returned from New York in December, soon after 
which he began rapidly to faih The excitement attending his 
visit had no doubt been too great for one of his age and retired 
habits. When spring- again opened, and nature began to deck 
her offspring in blooming apparel, he exhibited symptoms of ap- 
proaching dissolution. Conscious of his situation, he manifested 
a spirit of resignation to the Divine will. His complaint was 
dyspepsia. At times he suffered great pain in his limbs and 
breast, which could only be relieved by opium as an anodyne. 
During the paroxysms of pain he would frequently say, " Oh, how 
lono- before the contest will be over!" He wished for relief in 

D 

death. He was attended in his last illness by good physicians, 
among whom was the late Doct. Hyde, of Rensselaerville. He con- 
tinued gradually to waste away until sunset on Tuesday, the 2nd 
day of August, 1831, when he expired without a struggle or a 
groan. The last time he spoke was on Monday morning to give 
some directions about the place of his burial. Mr. Williams at 
his death, left an only child, a son, David W. Williams, who now 
lives upon the farm formerly owned by his father in Broome. He 
has seven children, four sons and three daughters, and is now 
(1845) 48 years old. His mother, now in her 89th year, lives 
with him. After her Imsband had been dead ten years, Mrs. 
Williams obtained a continuance of his pension, which had been 
stopped at his death, receiving $2000 at once. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK, 657 

The following account of the death and burial of Mr. "Williams, 
is copied from the Schoharie Republican, dated Tuesday, August 
9th, 1831. 

" The venerable David Williams, the last of the captors of Ma- 
jor Andre, has gone to his rest, full of years and full of glory. He 
died in Broome, Schoharie county, on Tuesday, the 2d instant, at 
■the age of 77. His remains were interred on Thursday, with mi- 
litary honors, at Livingstonville, in the presence of a large con- 
course of citizens, who had assembled to pay the last sad tribute 
of respect to his mortal remains. 

" At 10 o'clock, A. M., a sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. 
Smith of Rensselaerville. After the service, a procession Avas 
formed, under the direction of Col. Joseph Bouck, of Middleburgh, 
in the following order : 

Military. 
Reverend Clergy. 

Pall Bearers. <g Pall Bearers. 

Col. John Niles. J Col. L. M. Dayton. 

Col. Z. Pratt. ^ Lt. H. Dayton. 

Relations of the Deceased. 
Citizens." 

At the grave a very appropriate eulogy was pronounced by 
Robert McClellan, Esq. Mr. Murphy addressed the assemblage, 
briefly reviewing the former life of his deceased kinsman ; and 
the solemn exercises were closed by a prayer from the Rev. Mr. 
Smith. 

When the British evacuated Philadelphia in 1778, Gen. Bene- 
dict Arnold was given command of that station. His extrava- 
gance and dissipation, while a resident of that city, subjected him 
to a court martial, and a reprimand from the Commander-in-chief. 
From that moment the star that had guided his footsteps in the 
path of glory and honor was extinguished, and more evil spirits 
took possession of his soul, than haunted a certain woman of old- 
en time. In 1780, Arnold sought and obtained from Gen. Wash- 
ington, the command of the forts at West Point. He soon after, 
by letter, signified to Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander- 
in-chief, then at New York, by a correspondence carried on for a 
while between Maj. Andre and Mrs. Arnold, and afterwards by 



658 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

himself, under the assumed name of Gustavus, while Andre as- 
sumed that of John Anderson, his intention of surrendering that 
fortress, the Gibralter of the Union, to the British. Andre was 
selected by Clinton to complete the diabolical design, and he, for 
that purpose, landed from the sloop of war Vulture, which had 
ascended the Hudson, on Thursday night, September 21st, 1780, 
and held an interview with Mons. Gustavus. Joshua H. Smith, 
with two brothers, Samuel and Joseph Gaboon, as oarsmen, visit- 
ed the Vulture about midnight, with oars muffled with sheep-skins, 
agreeable to the orders of Gen. Arnold, and receiving Andre on 
board their boat, landed with him at the foot of a mountain called 
the Long Clove, on the west margin of the river, 3| miles below 
Smith's residence at Haverstraw, (which residence was distant 
from Stony Point 2| miles,) and nearly 20 miles below West Point. 
To the place of meeting, Arnold had ridden from Smith's house. 
The boatmen refused to return that night to the ship, and after a 
protracted conference, Arnold and Andre proceeded on horseback 
to the dwelling of Smith, who went with the boatmen to Crom's 
Island, in Haverstraw creek, where the boat was left, and then re- 
turned with them to his home, arriving about daylight. Andre 
was clad in full uniform, but over it he wore a blue traveling coat. 
The positive orders from Clinton to Andre were — " not to change 
his dress — go within the Jlmerican lines — or receive any papers." 

Morning dawned ere the hellish plot was consummated, and his 
return to the sloop deferred until the next night. Early in the 
morning a heavy gun was brought to bear on the Vulture, by a 
party of Americans on shore ; and several shots planted between 
wind and water compelled her to drop down the stream, where 
her men stole some plank on the bank of the river, and stopped 
her leaks. The night following, two men deserted from the Vul- 
ture in a boat. It was very dark, but the darkness being lit up at 
intervals by vivid lightning, the fugitives escaped to the shore, al- 
though they were pursued some distance by a boat's crew. — Jude 
Watso7i, a sentinel in the Highlands at the time. 

Finding his return to the vessel cut off, Andre was compeled to 
set out for New York by land. Laying aside his regimentals, he 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 659 

put on a plain suit of clothes belonging to Smith, and having re- 
ceived a pass from Arnold, he started on horseback, under his as- 
sumed name, on Friday evening, September 22d, accompanied by 
Smith and a black servant of the latter. About sundown they 
crossed the Hudson at King's Ferry, from Stony Point on the west, 
to Verplanck's Point on the east side. They met with but little 
interruption until they arrived near Crom pond, between eight and 
nine o'clock, when they were hailed by a sentinel under Capt 
Ebenezer Boyd. That officer examined the pass of Arnold to 
Smith, and advised the party to put up at one Andreas Miller's 
over night, which advice was followed. He also advised Smith 
to take the road by North Castle Church and Wright's mills, as 
being less likely to meet with cow-boys on that than on the Tarry- 
town road : the latter advice was, however, not regarded, for ob- 
vious reasons. Two miles beyond Pine's bridge they ate a break- 
fast of hasty pudding, or supawn and milk, at the house of a Dutch 
woman. Smith soon after took leave of Andre, and with his ser- 
vant returned to Peekskill, and from thence to Fishkill, where his 
wife had been previously sent. Andre succeeded in passing all 
the American guards and posts on the road without suspicion, 
and was proceeding to New York in perfect security, when, on 
Saturday morning, between nine and ten o'clock, he was arrested 
in what was then called Beekman's forest, near a small brook, 
about half a mile from Tarrytown, He had taken the road that 
way as being more likely to meet with friends upon it, or to find 
safety on board a British vessel in that part of the river. 
The following papers were found on the person of Andre : 

" No. 1. — Artillery orders [then] recently published at West 
Point, directing the disposition of each corps in case of alarm. 
No. 2, — An estimate of the American force at West Point and its 
dependencies. No. 3. — An estimate of the number of men requi- 
site to man the works. No. 4. — A return of the ordnance in the 
different forts, redoubts, and batteries. No. 5. — Remarks on the 
works at West point, describing the construction of each, and its 
strength or Aveakness. No. 6. — A report of a council of war lately 
held at Head Quarters, containing hints respecting the probable 
operations of the campaign, and which had been sent by Gen. 
Y/ashington a few days before, requesting his opinion on the sub- 
jects to which it refered. These papers were all in the hand- 



660 fflSTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

writing of Arnold, and bore his signature. In case of Andre's 
detection, the papers were to be destroyed." 

When taken before Col. Jamieson by his captors, Andre, anx- 
ious for his own safety and that of his accomplice, requested Col. 
Jamieson to inform Arnold that Anderson (himself,) was taken, 
which solicitation was very imprudently complied with. A line 
■was despatched by Solomon Allen, which gave the traitor an op- 
portunity of making his escape ; and he readily embraced it, 
leaving the spy to his fate. 

At the time of his treason, Arnold was making his head quar- 
ters at the Beverly, or Robinson house, as still called, a dwelling 
which belonged to Beverly Robinson, then an officer in the Brit- 
ish service, situated about two miles below West Point, on the east 
side of the river. It was at his own quarters he had purposed to 
have held his interview with Andre, at an earlier date ; but cir- 
cumstances prevented. Washington was to have breakfasted with 
Arnold on the morning of his flight ; but sending his aids with 
his compliments, and an apology to Mrs. Arnold, he rode down to 
inspect the redoubts on that side of the river. The messenger 
with Jamieson's note arrived while the company were at break- 
fast. Leaving the table abruptly, and with evident emotion, Ar- 
nold set out for West Point, saying that his immediate presence 
was demanded there. Washington had been to Hartford on busi- 
ness, and an express dispatched to him passed him, in consequence 
of his taking an unexpected route back, else he would have been 
apprized the evening before of Arnold's treason. Instead of going 
to West Point, Arnold proceeded to the river ; and entering his 
barge, ordered two men to row him on board the Vulture, then 
at anchor in Tappan bay, below King's ferry. They did not like 
to comply with his request, but were stimulated to do so by the 
promise of a liberal reward. Once on board the vessel, Arnold 
wished to detain the men as prisoners ; but the captain, on being 
informed what was passing, interfered, ordered the men to be paid 
what the traitor had promised them, and then liberated ; which 
order was promptly obeyed. He made his escape at 10 o'clock 
on Monday morning following the capture of Andre, and Wash- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 661 

ington was apprized of his treasonable conduct at 4 P. M. of the 
same day. 

It seems not a little surprising that Col. Jamieson, after enjoin- 
ing secrecy on the captors, from a belief that others were con- 
cerned, should himself take measures to notify one he could not 
fail, in his right mind, to suspect, even if he did not discover that 
the treasonable papers were all in his hand-writing. Col. Jamie- 
son was probably bewildered ; for at first he actually ordered Maj. 
Andre sent to Arnold's head quarters. From the Journal of 
Maj. Tallmadge, who had command of a corps of cavalry in 
West Chester, I make the following extract : 

" When I reached Lieut. Col. Jamieson's quarters, late in the 
evening of the 23d, and had learned the circumstances of the cap- 
ture of the prisoner, I v^^as very much surprised to learn that he 
was sent by that officer to Arnold's head quarters at West Point, 
accompanied by a letter of information respecting his capture. At 
the same time he despatched an express to meet Gen. Washington, 
then on his way to West Point. I felt much impressed with the 
course which had been taken, and did not fail to state the glaring 
inconsistency of this conduct to Col. Jamieson in a private and 
most friendly manner. He appeared greatly agitated when I sug- 
gested to him a measure which I wished to pursue ; offering to 
take the whole responsibility on myself, and which, as he deemed 
it too perilous to permit, I will not further disclose." [The meas- 
ure proposed by Major Tallmadge was, as he at a subsequent pe- 
riod informed his family, to proceed as speedily as possible with 
his troops to Arnold^s head quarters, a?id arrest him on his own re- 
sponsibility. '\ 

"Failing in this purpose," [continues the journal,] " I instantly 
set about a plan to remand the prisoner to our quarters, which I 
finally effected, although with reluctance on the part of CoL Jamie- 
son. When the order was about to be despatched to the officer to 
bring the prisoner back, strange as it may seem. Col. J. would per- 
sist in his purpose of letting the letter go to Gen. Arnold. The 
letter did go on, and the prisoner returned before the next morn- 
ing. As soon as I saw Anderson, and especially after I saw him 
walk (as he did almost constantly) across the floor, I became im- 
pressed with the belief that he had been bred to arms. I very soon 
communicated my suspicion to Co]. Jamieson, and requested him 
to notice his gait, and especially when he turned on his heel to re- 
trace his course across the room. It was deemed best to remove 
the prisoner to Salem, and I was to escort him. I kept constantly 
in the room with the prisoner, who became very conversable, and 
extremely interesting. Indeed, he very pleasantly inquired why 
1 watched him so narrowly. It was very manifest that his agita- 



662 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

tion and anxiety were great ; and after dinner on the 24th, per- 
haps by 3 o'clock P. M., he asked to be favored with a pen, ink, 
and paper, which I readily granted, and he wrote the letter to Gen. 
Washington, dated Salem, 24th September, 1780, which is xe<^ 
corded in most of the histories of that eventful period. In this let- 
ter he dicslosed his true character to be ' Major John Andre, Adju- 
tant General to the British Army.'' "When I received and read the 
letter, for he handed it to me as soon as he had written it, my 
agitation was extreme, and my emotions wholly inddscribable. If 
the letter of information had not gone to Gen. Arnold, I should not 
have hesitated for a moment in my purpose ; but this I knew must 
reach him before I could possibly get to West Point. 

" I took on Maj. Andre, under a strong escort of cavalry, to 
West Point, and the next day I proceeded down the Hudson to 
King's ferry, and landed at Haverstraw, on the west side of the 
Hudson, where a large escort of cavalry had been sent from the 
main army at Tappan, with which I conducted the prisoner to head 
quarters, where I reported proceedings to Gen Washington, who 
ordered a Court Martial." 

The part Joshua H. Smith had acted in the treasonable affairj 
left suspicions resting upon him ; on which account he was tried 
by a court martial. The board consisted of Col. H. Jackson, as 
president, Lieut. Col. Hait, Maj. Ball, and Captains Jacob Wright, 
Drew, Fry, Sandford, Fowle, Daniels, J. A. Wright, Marshall, 
Chase, and Tiffany ; conducted by John Lawrence, Judge Advo- 
cate General. The captors of Andre were among the witnesses 
called on the trial. In the absence of testimony to criminate him, 
after an investigation lasting two weeks, he was finally acquitted, 
though not without some suspicion of guilt. Arnold and Andre, 
however, both exonerated Smith from any knowledge of what 
was passing between them ', the former by letter, and the latter 
when on trial. 

Maj. Andre was tried at Tappan, Sept. 29, 1780, and con- 
demned to be hung as a spy. The board consisted of 

Nathaniel Greene, M. Gen., President. 

Sterling, M. G. H. Knox. B, G. 

La Fayette, " Jno. Glover, " 

R. Howe, " Jno. Patterson, " 

Steuben, " Edw. Hand, " 

Saml. H. Parsons, B. G. J. Huntington. " 

James Clinton, " John Starke, " 
John Lawrence, Judge Adv. Gen. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 663 

Of this court martial it may justly be said, that an abler or 
more impartial one was never convened on a similar occasion. 
When the examination commenced, he was informed by the 
court, from whom he received every possible indulgence, that he 
was at liberty to ansvs^er no questions unless he chose ; but he 
frankly confessed every thing material to his condemnation. He 
evinced great firmness on his trial, in the course of which he 
spoke of Capt. Hale. Said he, " I wish that in all that digni- 
fies man, that adorns and elevates human nature, that I could 
be named with that accomplished, but unfortunate officer. His 
fate was wayward and untimely ; he was cut off yet younger 
than I now am. But ours are not parallel cases." 

After his condemnation, Andre wrote to Gen. Washington re- 
questing as a last favor that he might be shot; a request the 
commander would have granted, had he consulted only his own 
feelings, instead of the inflexible demarids of justice. The exe- 
cution was first ordered to take place at 5 o'clock P. M., on the 
1st day of October, and a vast concourse of people then assem- 
bled, but it was postponed until the next day in consequence of 
the arrival of a flag from the enemy. Gen. Greene met Gen. 
Robertson at Dobb's Ferry, but as the latter could make no pro- 
posals calculated to save the spy, the conference soon ended. — ■ 
Journal of Maj. Tallmadge. 

When led out on the mornin^^" of Oct. 2d, he chose to walk 
to the place of execution, some two miles distant. The Ameri- 
can army was drawn out to witness the sad spectacle, and as he 
passed through the files of soldiers bowing to those he kiiCW, 
many a brave heart throbbed with emotion, and from many an 
eye, which had calmly glanced along the rifle's barrel in the 
hour of peril when it was dealing groans and death, now gush- 
ed the warm tears of pity. 

A wagon containing his coffin, the latter painted black, fol- 
lowed a number of American officers of rank on horseback ; be- 
hind which Andre marched in procession with Maj. Tallmadge 
on foot. About one-quarter of a mile from the village of Tap- 
pan, in Rockland county, stood a high gallows, made by setting 



664 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

up two crotches and laying a pole across the top. The wagon that 
contained his coffin was drawn under the gallows. Andre, after 
shaking hands with several friends, stepped into the wagon, and 
stood upon the coffin. Laying down his hat, he paced back 
and forth several times the length of his narrow house, with his 
hands upon his hips, casting his eyes upon the pole overhead 
and the surrounding scenery. He was dressed in a British uni- 
form, sent to him after his arrest. It consisted of a rich scarlet 
coat trimmed with green, wdth vest and breeches of bright buff. 
His dying request to the spectators was — " Witness to the world 
that I die like a brave man !" The executioner, painted black, 
stepped into the wagon to adjust the halter, which had a hang- 
man's knot at the end. " Keep off your black hands," said An- 
dre, as he removed his cravat and unpinned the collar of his 
shirt. Seizing the rope, he placed the noose around his neck 
with the knot under the right ear, and drew it up snugly ; then 
taking from his coat a handkerchief, he tied it over his eyes. 
An officer told the hangman his arms must be tied. Andre 
drew the handkerchief from his eyes, and taking out another, 
handed it to the executioner, replacing the one over his eyes. 
His arms were tied above the elbows, behind his back — and the 
rope made fast to the pole overhead. The w'agon was then sud- 
denly drawn from under him, and soon his spirit was in the pre- 
sence of his God. 

After hanging nearly half an hour, the body was taken down 
and laid upon the ground. His coat, vest, and breeches were 
taken off and handed to two dwarfish looking servants dressed in 
gaudy apparel, who were in attendence from New York ; to one 
of w^hom Andre handed his watch while standing in the wagon. 
The body was wrapped in a shroud, (as I have been informed by 
an eye witness,) before it was placed in a coffin. The captors 
of Andre witnessed his execution. Very great sympathy was 
manifested for Andre at his death. Says Maj. Tallmadge, 

" When I saw him swing under the gibbet, it seemed for a 
time as if I could not support it. All the spectators appeared to ber 
overwhelmed with the affecting spectacle, and many seemed to 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 665 

be suffused in tears. There did not appear to be one hardened, 
or indifferent spectator in all the multitude of persons assembled 
on that solemn occasion." 

Sir Henry Clinton made some efforts to save Andre, but still 
greater were those made by Gen. Washington; and " it is a sin- 
gular fact, that while the former was hastening the death of 
Andre, the latter was exerting himself to ward off that calamity." 
So great was the desire of Gen. "Washington to get Arnold and 
save Andre, that he sent one of his best soldiers into the camp of 
the enemy. Major Lee, who was entrusted by the Commander 
with the attempt to arrest the traitor, selected John Champe, a 
sergeant of cavalry, for the enterprise. Champe was a native of 
Loudon county, Virginia ; a young man of much discernment and 
great personal bravery. The sergeant was to enter the enemy's 
lines as an American deserter — enlist into the British service 
under Arnold, and having matured his plans, was, with a trusty 
companion to surprise and gag him late in the evening — bear him 
to a boat and cross to the Jersey shore from New-York ; where 
Major Lee was to await his arrival with two spare horses. — 
Champe approached the enemy hotly pursued by a party of his 
countrymen, and as they supposed their former comrade a deser- 
ter, it is not surprising the enemy admitted him into communion. 
Having all things ready, he notified Lee when to meet him ; but 
fortunately for Arnold, on the afternoon of the very day on which 
the plan was to be consummated, that officer shifted his quarters, 
and the sergeant was transferred to another regiment. The 
scheme, of course proved abortive. Nothing but an unforeseen 
event saved Arnold from the just vengeance of his countrymen. 
The intrepid sergeant readily embraced the earliest opportunity 
to desert and return to the camp of Washington, who kindly re- 
ceived and rewarded him. — JViles^ Principles of the Revolution. 

Capt. JYathan Hale, to whom Major Andre alluded on his 
trial, is not sufficiently well known to the American reader. He 
was a son of Deacon Richard Hale, of South Coventry, Con- 
necticut, and was born on the sixth day of June, 1756. He gradu- 
ated at Yale College in September, 1773, with the first honors of 
the institution. He ardently espoused the cause of his suffering 



666 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

country at an early day, and when the news of the Lexington 
fight reached New London where he was then teaching an acade- 
my, he dismissed his school, and joining the company of Capt. 
Coit, as a volunteer, marched to the vicinity of Boston. In the 
fall of 1775, be received a lieutenant's commission, and soon after 
a captain's, in Col. Charles Webb's regiment. Early in the sum- 
mer of 1776, Gen. Washington formed a select regiment of in- 
fantry for special service, under the command of Col. Knowlton, a 
brave officer who fell that season at Harlem Hights. 

After the unfortunate engagement which took place on Long 
Island, August 27, 1776, the Americans under the prudent Wash- 
ington, abandoned the island and retreated to New- York, in the 
manner described in the journal of Major Tallmadge. 

About this time an incident occurred as stated in the Memoir of 
Capt. Hale, (a neat pamphlet published early in the summer of 
1844, for the Hale Monument Association — for a copy of which 
and the beautiful poem sent with it, the author would here ac- 
knowledge his indebtedness to the society,) which will serve to 
show the daring spirit of that hero. 

" Our troops were still wretchedly supplied with even the neces- 
saries of life ; things without which the warmest zeal cannot long 
endure. There was much suffering and much repining. A Brit- 
ish sloop, laden with provisions, was lying in the East river, under 
cover of the ship Asia, man-of-war with 90 guns. Capt. Hale 
formed the bold project of capturing this sloop, and bringing her 
into the harbor of New-York. He soon found hardy compeers for 
the enterprise. At dead of night the little band of adventurers 
rowed silently, in a small boat, to a point near the sloop, and there 
waited for the moon to go down. As soon as it was dark, and all 
still, save the watchman's voice from the deck of the Asia, they 
darted upon their prey, sprang aboard, hoisted sail, and brought 
her into port with the British tars in the hold, and without the loss 
of a man. This exploit Avas loudly applauded, and the daring 
leader distributed the goods of his prize to feed and clothe the 
hungry and naked soldiers." 

The retreat of the Americans from Brooklyn, left the whole 
island in possesion of the British. Anxious to obtain information 
of their strength and intended future operations, W^ashington ap- 
plied to Col. Knowlton to gain such information, who made the 
request known to his officers. Among others, he solicited a ser- 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 667 

geant to undertake it, who had served in the French war : but 
the knotted hero promptly refused, saying that he was ready to 
fight the British at any place or time, but did not feel willing to 
go among them to be hung up like a dog. Young Hale, inspired 
with a sense of duty, and a belief that the safety of his country 
demanded the desired information, at once volunteered his services 
for the enterprise ; and in a citizen's dress and capacity of a 
school teacher, he proceeded to Norwalk, Conn., from whence 
he was conveyed to Huntington, L. I., in an armed sloop. He 
journeyed to Brooklyn, went through the enemy's lines, and after 
making a careful survey of their posts and strength, he crossed 
over to New-York, where a part of the British army were then 
stationed ; and having faithfully completed his charge, set out on 
his return to the American camp, then near the Harlem Heights — 
five or six miles from the city. "When nearly out of danger as 
he supposed, he met a small party of the enemy, and one of their 
number, a refugee cousin who had espoused the cause of oppres- 
sion, recognized and betrayed him. This relative was on a visit 
to Hale's father's only a year or two before. The party made the 
spy a captive, and hastened with him to the presence of Sir Wil- 
liam Howe. 

The proof of his object was so clear that he frankly acknowl- 
edged who he was, and what were his views. Howe at once gave 
orders for his execution on the following morning. The order 
was executed on the morning of September 22d, in a most unfeel- 
ing and barbarous manner, by WiUiam Cunningham,* the British 
provost-marshal, than whom a greater villain never disgraced a 
human form. " A clergyman, whose attendance he requested, 

• He was a native of Dublin, Ireland. He was executed some time after 
the war for a forgery committed in England. In his dying confession, 
he says: " I shudder to think of the murders I have been accessory to, both 
with and without orders from government, especially while in New York ; du- 
ring which time there were more than two thousand prisoners starved in the 
different churches, l)y stopping their rations, which I sold. There were also 
two hundred and seventy Jive American prisoners and obnoxious persons exe- 
cuted, out of all which number there were only about one dozen public exe- 
cutions, which chiefly consisted of British and Hessian deserters," — Niles' 
Principles of the Revolution. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 668 

was refused him ; a Eible, for a few moments' devotion, was not 
procured, although he wished it." Letters, which, on the morn- 
ing of his execution, he wrote to his intended, and other friends, 
were destroyed ; and this very extraordinary reason given by the 
provost-marshal, " That the rebels should not know they had a man 
in their army loho could die with so much firmness." Unknown 
to all around him, — without a single friend to offer him the least 
consolation, — thus fell as amiable and as worthy a young man as 
America could boast, with this, his dying observation : " He only 
lamented that he had but one life to lose for his country." Andre, 
in his defence, alluded to the death of Capt. Hale, and paid his 
character a just tribute. He closed his allusion to the fate of Hale 
by saying that their cases were not parallel. Let us see how far 
they differed : 

Both, when taken, were in a citizen's dress, and that of Andre 
at least, not his own ; both had been within the lines of the ene- 
my in that disguise ; Andre had assumed a false name, although 
it is not certain that Hale did ; both had gone to learn the situa- 
tion of the enemy's works, and Andre was taking measures to 
criminate another — and while neither the expectation of pecunia- 
ry reward or promotion influenced the action of Hale, it is not 
certain but both were in prospect for Andre. The one was the 
agent of a powerful king, sent to fix the manacles of despotism 
upon his fellow subjects, and by so doing entwine the laurel wreath 
upon his own brow, or receive a high sounding court title ; the 
other was the agent of an oppressed people, struggling to be free, 
who felt it his duty, not for gold or worldly honors, to peril his 
life. Andre was planning the easy capture of a strong fortress by 
becoming accessory to treason ; Hale was endeavoring to learn 
the future operations of the enemy, not through the treachery and 
crime of her officers. Andre was twenty-nine years old when he 
suffered, and Hale but twenty-two. If both were guilty of the 
same crime, under precisely the same circumstances, should not 
sympathy naturally incline to the younger ? for age is expected 
to bring with it experience divested of rashness. Contrast the 
treatment of the two officers after their arrest : The one is tried 



669 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

by court-martial, and every possible indulgence granted him, add- 
ed to the sympathy of the whole American people ; while the 
other, without the form of a trial, or the sympathy of a single 
Briton, — without being granted the favor of Christian devotion, — 
without permission to send a dying epistle to his father, — is hur- 
ried out and executed, with the cold formality that would attend 
the hanging of a rabid dog. Finally, let us contrast their dying 
words. Said Andre to the spectators, "Witness to the world that I 
die like a brave man .'"' Said Hale, " 1 only lament that I have 
hut one life to lose for my country .'". The one implies a desire 
for -personal fame, even in death ; while in the other, self is bu- 
ried deep in the love of country. Reader ! can you look on this 
picture, and feel that justice is done to the character of your be- 
loved Hale ? — to an accomplished and feeling scholar, who laid 
down his life a willing sacrifice for his bleeding country ? His 
blood, while yet warmed with the fire of youth, watered the then 
withering roots of the tree of Liberty. The time has arrived when 
justice ought to he done to the character of Hale ; and I believe 
that if ever this Republic rears two monuments for her illustrious 
dead, the one should bear the name of " the father of his coun- 
try," and on the other should be inscribed the name of the patriot 
martyr to American liberty, JYathan Hale. It is said that the 
father of Capt. Hale was mentally deranged ever after the exe- 
cution of his son. 

In August, 1831, the remains of Andre were exhumed by roy- 
al mandate, under the direction of J. Buchanan, British Consul at 
New York, and removed to England to find a resting place in 
Westminster Abbey, where a monument had previously been 
erected to his memory. 

Major Andre was no doubt a brave, accomplished, and at times, 
generous man ; but sympathy, for which the American character 
has ever been distinguished, and for which I trust it ever will be, 
tended at the time of his death to throw around his name a ficti- 
tious coloring that would not stand the ordeal of scrutiny. Going 
to prove that fact, is the following article, which is an extract of 
a communication published in the Philadelphia True American, 
and copied by Niles in his Register, March 1, 1817 : 

43 



670 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" Andre was in Philadelphia with the English army, and Avas 
quartered at the house of Dr. Franklin, in which the Doctor's fur- 
niture and very valuable library had been left. When the Brit- 
ish were preparing to evacuate the city, M. D. Simetre,* who was 
an intimate friend of Andre, called to take leave, and found him 
busily engaged in packing up and placing amongst his own bag- 
gage a number of the most valuable books belonging to Doctor 
Franklin. Shocked and surprised at the proceeding, he told him, 
in order that he might be influenced by the highly honorable con- 
duct of Gen. Kniphausen, who had been quartered at Gen. Cad- 
wallader's that that officer sent for the agent of the latter, gave 
him an inventory, which he had caused his steward to make out on 
his first taking possession, told him he would find every thing in 
proper order, even to some bottles of wine in the cellar, and paid 
him rent for the time he occupied it. Not so Avith Andre ; he qui- 
etly carried off his plunder. I have often thought his character 
owes many beams which play around it, to the fascination of Miss 
Seward's verse and description, of which he was by no means 
worthy, though there can be no doubt but he was a gallant soldier, 
and in some respects, an honest man," 

It is also stated in a pamphlet publication of the proceedings, 
at the time a monument was erected to the memory of John 
Paulding, on the authority of Johnson's Life of Gen. Greene, that 
Maj. Andre was in Charleston, South Carolina, in the character of 
a spy, during the seige of that city by the British ; and that he 
was probably instrumental, to a great extent, in involving the 
very men in captivity, whose fate he intimated in his letter to 
Washington avowing his real character, " the treatment he receiv- 
ed might affect." 

Gen. Greene was in command of the army at head quarters du- 
ring Washington's visit to Hartford, to meet the French officers, 
and in a letter to him, dated two days before Andre's arrest, he 
thus writes from Tappan : 

" Col. communicated the last intelligence we have from 

New York ; since that I have not been able to obtain the least in- 
formation of what is going on there, though we have people in 
from three different quarters. None of them returning, makes 
me suspect some secret expedition is in contemplation, the success 
of which depends upon its being kept a secret." 

" Arnold knew the bearing of this post (West Point), upon all 

•Simetre was a native of Genoa, who had settled in Philadelphia, and was 
the person who laid the foundation of the valuable museuni; now belonging 
to Mr. Peal. 



AND BORDER WARS OF NEW YORK. 671 

the operations of the American army ; and afterwards avowed his 
confident expectation, that, had the enemy got possession of it, 
the contest must have ceased, and America been subdued." 

Andre was not only pleased with poetry, but wrote it very 
well. His poetic wit generally flowed in a strain of sarcasm, 
and the American officers were usually the butt of it. His most 
celebrated poem of the kind was called the Cow Chase, written 
a short time before his death, and in this he aimed a share of his 
wit at Gen. Wayne, one of the bravest of the brave. The dog- 
gerel ended with the following stanza : 

" And now I've closed my epic strain, 

I tremble as I show it. 
Lest this same warrior-drover, Wayne, 

Should ever catch the poet." 

When Andre was delivered a prisoner at the village of Tappan, 
he found Gen. Wayne in command of a division of the army, the 
first Pennsylvania brigade, then stationed at that place. Thus 
we see that indirectly " the warrior-drover Wayne" did catch the 
poet. 

As a reward for his treason, Arnold received from the British 
government, as is supposed, ten thousand pounds, and a commis- 
sion in her service. He issued a proclamation to induce the 
American soldiers to desert ; yet, as dark as their prospects were, 
Enghsh writers say there was not a solitary instance of desertion 
on his account. He was actively employed until the close of the 
war, exerting himself to injure his parent country. At the end of 
the war, he was engaged in commercial pursuits in the West In- 
dies. He afterwards removed to England, where he was shunned 
and despised by all virtuous and honorable men.* 

He died in London in 1801. The following acrostic, published 
many years ago, and for which the writer is indebted to the tena- 
cious memory of a bachelor friend, does ample justice to his cha- 
racter : 

*The following anecdote, given by one of his biographers, will show the 
estimation in which his character was held in the land of his adoption. On 
a certain occasion Lord Surry, rising to speak in the House of Commons, and 
perceiving Arnold in the gallery, sat down with precipitation, exclaiming, " I 
will not speak while that man" pointing to Arnold, " is in the house-" 



,^./-- 



672 HISTORY OF SCHOHARIE COUNTY, 

" Born for a curse to nature and mankind, 

Earth's darkest realms can't show so black a mind ; 

Night, sable night, his crimes can never hide, 

Each is so great it gluts historic tide : 

Defunct, in memory shall ever live, 

In all the glare that infamy can give ; 

Curses of ages shall attend thy name ; 

Traitors alone shall glory in thy fame. 

Almighty vengeance sternly waits to roll 
Rivers of sulphur o'er thjr treach'rous soul; 
Nature looks back, with conscious error sad, 
On such a tai'nished blot that she had made. 
Let hell receive thee, riveted in chains, 
Damnei to the focus of its hotest flames." 

The captors of Andre are now dead, and monuments have 
been erected over the dust of two of them, to point the traveler 
not only to the generosity of their countrymen, but to the tri- 
umph of virtue over the corrupting influence of gold. Paulding 
died Feb. I8th, 18 18, and was buried at Peekskill, Westchester 
county, where a monunaent was raised to his memory by the 
common council of New York, Nov. 22d, 1827. Van Wart died 
May 23d, 1828, and on the 11th of June, 1829, the citizens of 
Westchester placed a monument over his remains. My friend, 
Mr. Murphy, who well knew the merits of the last survivor, 
Williams, has been indefatigable in his efforts to get a monu- 
ment to his memory. He has repeatedly petitioned Congress, the 
proper source surely, for an appropriation to erect one, and has 
even been in person to urge the matter — but as yet in vain. Are 
republics ungrateful? Mr. Murphy has several times elicited 
from Congress a favorable report ; but those reports, like similar 
ones for a monument to the ill-fated Hale, have died still-born. 
The memory of those heroes should be honored, although it be 
necessary to lessen the mileage of Congressmen, or tax their re- 
ceipts for imaginary distance to do it. Virtue merits the cherish- 
ed recollection of the good, and surely it is not vanity that dic- 
tates the erection of marble to remind us of departed w^orth, and 
tell where rests a hero. 



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